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THE 

UNWRITTEN HISTORY 

OF 

BRADDOCK'S FIELD 



PENNSYLVANIA! 



PREPARED BY THE HISTORY COMMITTEE 
UNDER THE EDITORSHIP OF GEO. H. LAMB. A. M.. 



FOR 



THE CELEBRATION 



THE GOLDEN JUBILEE OF BRADDOCK 
THE SILVER JUBILEE OF RANKIN 



THE ONE-HUNDRED-SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 

FIRST WHITE SETTLEMENT WEST OF 

THE ALLEGHANIES 

1917 



Copyrighted 1917, 

BY 

George H. Lamb, 
Braddock, Pa. 



illG -7 1917 
©CI.A47H57 5 



PREFACE. 

Early in January, 1917, a meeting of the business men of Braddock 
was called to discuss the project of celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of 
the incorporation of the borough, which event occurred June 8, 1867. It 
soon developed that this year was also the twenty-fifth anniversary of the 
incorporation of Rankin borough. It was then suggested that as the first 
white settlement west of the Alleghanies was made on ground now within 
the borough limits of North Braddock on or about 1742, the celebration 
should include the one-hundred-seventy-fifth anniversary of this settle- 
ment. Accordingly it was resolved to hold a celebration in commemora- 
tion of "The Golden Jubilee of Braddock, the Silver Jubilee of Rankin, and 
the one-hundred-seventy-fifth anniversary of the First White Settlement 
West of the Alleghanies". 

The celebration was at once placed in the hands of an Executive 
Committee, consisting of Chas. E. Dinkey, Chairman ; A. P. Roderus, H. 
B. Miller, Dr. F. K. Whitfield, J. Knox Milligan, H. R. Hunter, L. F. Holtz- 
man, Esq., Wm. J. Dixon, Leo. A. Katz, E. D. Nugent, F. G. Bishoff, W. H. 
Sullivan, W. J. McBeth. 

The Finance Committee consisted of Chas. E. Dinkey, Chairman ; 
A. P. Roderus, L. A. Katz, L. F. Holtzman, A. M. Scott, Chas. J. Carr. 
Other committees with their chairman in each instance were : — 

Program, F. F. Slick, Firemen, E. N. Patterson 

Invitation, Geo. C. Watt, Airship Exhibition, E. H. Broden 

Printing and Advertising, W. A. Kulp Pioneer's Camp Fin-, H. C. Shallenberger 

Music, Thos. E. O'Connor Banquet, W. H. Sullivan 

Decorations, Leo A. Katz History, Geo. H. Lamb 

Parades, Wm. J. Dixon Hospital Corps, Dr. A. W. Schooley 

Museum, John G. Kelly Awards, Hon. M. Clyde Kelly 

Memorial Services, John F. Lewis Railroads and Transportation, 
Children's Festival, Prof. F. C. Steltz Chas. B. Guttridge 

Pageant, Prof. W. E. Albig Reception, H. J. Learn 

Concessions, Geo. W. Kutscher Municipal Affairs, J. J. Keller 

Information Bureau, Dr. F. K. Whitfield Pageant Costuming, Mrs. J. W. Hanna 

Mardi Gras, Jas. L. Quinn Fire Works, W. H. Sharah 

Sports, Thayer M. Torreyson 



4 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

All the committees were well organized, and the finance committee 
had its work nearly completed by the middle of April. The history com- 
mittee likewise had its work well in hand. At a meeting of the executive 
committee, together with the chairmen of some of the committees that had 
been doing the preliminary work for the celebration, it was resolved to 
postpone the celebration for one year, because the United States had been 
drawn into the world war. At the same meeting it was deemed best that 
the History committee should continue their work of preparing the Un- 
written History of Braddock's Field, and should proceed to erect four his- 
toric tablets as planned. 

The story of Monongahela and Braddock of Old has been told many, 
many times. The new Braddock has been so busy doing the big things 
that no one has had time to pause in the onward rush to tell of it. 

This modest volume, written in commemoration of fifty years of 
Braddock history and twenty-five years of Rankin history, and to connect 
up the modern with the ancient, even back to the first white settlement on 
the ground a century and three quarters ago, deals chiefly with the recent 
life achievements of this community. The number of old residents who 
' have helped in its compilation, and have contributed from their memory 
and experience to the information gathered is too numerous to receive per- 
sonal mention here, but their assistance has been invaluable and will merit 
and receive the thanks of many who are to come after them. 

A member of the history committee has been assigned to each chap- 
ter and each is responsible for what appears under his name. 

The editor of this work desires to acknowledge the very valuable 
assistance of his associate editors, Mr. W. J. Aiken and Mr. Hugh P. Meese. 

GEO. H. LAMB, 

Editor-in-chief. 
Braddock, Pa. 
July, 1917. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



Subject Writer Page 

Introduction... Geo. H. Lamb 7 

Early History and Pioneer Si liters of 

Braddock's Field - Miss Dillie Steinmetz .... 11 

Braddock and the Coal Industry S. R. McClure, Esq 25 

Transportation on the Monongahela W. Espey Albig 31 

The Municipalities J. E. Little, Esq.. 40 

Port Perry and Turtle Creek Win. S. Heath 49 

The Railroads Albert Diethrich 65 

Braddock Electric Railways D. Newton Greer 7:: 

Camp Copeland and thi Civil War Mrs. Jennie S. Lapsley 78 

.1 Survey of Industrial Braddock 

and Brief History of the Edgar 

Thomson Steel Works...... Hugh P. Meese 82 

The Making of the Local American Wm. J. Aiken, Esq .150 

The Post Office Chas. L. Cummings 158 

Braddock Newspapers and their Makers Frederick W. Oakley 166 

Churches Rev. James Vernon Wright 180 

Schools Geo. W. Gilmore 195 

Finn ne 'ml Institutions E. M. SHARAH 208 

The Carnegie Free Library Geo. H. Lamb 220 

The Braddock General Hospital.. W. T. MORGAN, M. D 230 

Medical History of Braddock.... S. Roy Mills, M. D 245 

Fraternal Societies Reuben D. Abbiss, Jr ...250 

Fires and Firefighters Harry H. Kelly 274 

Woman's Activities Mrs. Samuel Hamilton.. 280 

The Evolution of Local Business Charles Rose ..298 

Conclusion Geo. H. Lamb 311 

Tndi 317 



INTRODUCTION. 

BY GEO. 11. LAMB. 

Braddock's Field is one of the very important localities in American 
history. There are few places and few incidents that may be termed 
pivotal, perhaps not more than seven in the whole range of United States 
history. To illustrate: The settlement at Jamestown and the landing of 
the Pilgrims on Plymouth Rock were both pivotal, because each was the 
representative of a phase of civilization that was destined to wield a 
mighty influence for centuries, finally terminating in civil war. On the 
other hand, the settlement of any and all other colonies was not pivotal, 
because no one was representative of a distinct idea separate from the 
others ar.d big enough to color all subsequent history. 

Each of the pivotal events is associated with a definite place, and 
merely to indicate the location is to call up in memory the mighty force 
exerted by the incident that occurred there. Chronologically these events 
associated with their localities are: — Jamestown, Plymouth Rock, Brad- 
dock's Field, Lexington, Independence Hall, Saratoga, Gettysburg. 

Some students of history may choose to add one or two events to 
this list, though it is doubtful if any other place can substantiate its claim. 
But no one will deny the word pivotal to each of the places named. 

For present purposes interest is centered on the third of the locali- 
ties mentioned, Braddock's Field. If authority were needed to demon- 
strate the merits of this place to such recognition it is right at hand. Park- 
man quotes Voltaire as saying, "Such was the complication of political in- 
terests, that a cannon-shot fired in America could give the signal that set 
Europe in a blaze." Parkman adds this comment. "Not quite. It was not 
a cannon-shot, but a volley from the hunting-pieces of a few back-woods- 
men, commanded by a Virginia youth, George Washington." 

Thus Voltaire makes the Battle of the Monongahela a pivotal point 
not of American history alone, but of world history. While Parkman sees 
in the battle not merely the war which ensued between France and Eng- 
land, known in America as the French and Indian war, but looking beyond 
this mighty struggle, he sees the independence of the English colonies and 
the upspringing of a mighty nation. 

And Parkman gets the right perspective. For on that memorable 
July 9, 1755, the colonists made two discoveries that were destined to 
play a strong part in the shaping of future events. One was, that the coloni- 
al militia were not inferior in any sense, on their own ground, to the trained 
British soldiery. The other was that on that day they discovered their 



8 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

native born leader ; and from that hour, George Washington was a marked 
man — a man of destiny, and the colonists knew it. 

But the territory formerly known as Braddock's Field, now com- 
prised in the boroughs of Braddock, North Braddock, and Rankin, has 
other claims to historic eminence, besides the Battle of the Monongahela, 
commonly called Braddock's Defeat. Here, on the banks of the Monon- 
gahela just below the mouth of Turtle Creek, stood John Frazier's cabin. 
Whether we consider the statement of Governor Dinwiddie, which fixes 
the date of the building of this cabin at 1742 or earlier, or accept a later 
date as some records seem to indicate, the fact is incontestible that Fraz- 
ier was the first white settler anywhere in this region, west of the Alle- 
ghanies. The French made settlements at about this time on the shores 
of the lakes as far west as Detroit and Michilimackinac, but John Frazier 
was the first white man to build a cabin in the Monongahela valley. 

Braddock's Field again came into prominence at the time of the 
Whiskey Insurrection. On Friday, August 1, 1794, there were gathered 
on this field men from the four western counties of Pennsylvania to the 
number of eight thousand. These were the men who believed that the 
new internal revenue tax on whiskey was aimed at their chief industry and 
amounted to confiscation of their property. After a demonstration of 
their strength in and by this assembly they returned quietly to their homes 
and later yielded peaceably to the government's demands. 

Again, in 1825, when the Marquis de La Fayette, who had as- 
sisted the colonists in gaining their Independence, made his return visit 
to this country as the "Guest of the Nation," after an absence of nearly 
a half century, he was entertained here for one night, May 28, 1825, in the 
home of Mr. George Wallace. This house, later used for a young ladies' 
seminary, is in a good state of preservation and bids fair to stand for 
another century. It is now occupied by Mrs. Allen Kirkpatrick, a daughter 
of Mr. Geo. H. Bell, who acquired it from the Wallaces nearly eighty 
years ago. 

During the dark clays of the Rebellion, Braddock's Field was again 
brought into public notice by the location here of Camp Copeland, a re- 
cruiting and training station for new enlistments. 

The exact location of the Battle of Monongahela has been a matter 
of some controversy. The site of Frazier's cabin is definitely known. 
The spot where Braddock's army crossed the Monongahela is likewise 
clear beyond the shadow of a doubt. But the controversy has raged 
over the question of how far up the hill side the army advanced. The 




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The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 9 

best information on the subject is to be had from two maps, or plans of 
the battle, made by Patrick MacKellar subsequent to the battle. 

Patrick MacKellar was the engineer with Braddock's expedition. It 
was his business to go ahead with the axemen and lay out the route. After 
the battle, he was asked by General Shirley to prepare a map of the ground. 
He prepared two sketches, submitting them to the surviving officers of the 
expedition, by whom they were approved. Map No. 1, is entitled, "A 
sketch of the field of battle of July 9th, upon the Monongahela, seven miles 
from Fort Duquesne, shewing the disposition of troops when action began". 
The title of Map No. 2, is, "A sketch of the field of battle shewing the 
disposition of troops about 2 o'clock, when the whole of the mainbody had 
joined the advanced and working parties then beat (en) back from the 
ground they occupied as in plan No. 1." 

Although these maps were known and used by Parkman and others, 
no serious attempt was ever made to reconcile them with the ground as it 
exists to-day until the year 1909. In that year, Mr. Sidney Dillon, then 
chief draftsman of the Edgar Thomson Works of the United States Steel 
Corporation, now chief engineer of the Carnegie Steel Company, stimulated 
by some special researches made by Prof. John K. Lacock, of Havard Uni- 
versity and Prof. Henry Temple, of Washington & Jefferson College, made 
a composite topographic chart, laying the MacKellar maps on the maps of 
the present boroughs of Braddock and North Braddock. Mr. Dillon also had 
access to the Carnegie McCandless Company's topographic outlines which 
showed contours of the bottom lands as they existed before ground was 
broken for the erection of the great steel mills and furnaces which cover 
much of the site. 

Mr. Dillon's maps are regarded as authoritative. They carry the 
action somewhat farther up the hill, and a little to the west of the position 
the old residents were accustomed to regard as the main theater of battle. 
But there is nothing in recorded history inconsistent with the Dillon 
location; while contours, time, and recorded references in journals and let- 
ters of the period harmonize remarkably well, even to minute detail 
with these maps. Especially is this true of Washington's statement that the 
advance line had proceeded "about six hundred perches" beyond the river 
when attacked. The location of Braddock's spring, where the General 
was given a drink as he was being carried back from the fight adds weight 
to the argument. 

Braddock community has a modern history to be proud of, as well 
as colonial. Here, within the borough limits of North Braddock, are loca- 



10 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

ted the Edgar Thomson Steel Works, among the greatest of their kind. 
These works were the first of the great Carnegie works, and have always 
been regarded as the foundation of the Carnegie fortunes. In Rankin 
are the McClintick-Marshall mills which recently demonstrated to the 
world their importance by making and installing all the locks in the 
Panama canal. Not less than seventeen huge blast furnaces and many 
open hearth furnaces, and many plants of less importance, but which in 
some localities would be deemed colossal, are found here. The Braddock 
library is the "oldest Carnegie Library in America", and the Carnegie 
Club, operated under the same management, has been and is a pioneer in 
welfare work for mill men, and a community center for every kind of 
philanthropic movement. Braddock banks have no equal in communities 
of this size. The mercantile interests are cared for by hundreds of stores, 
some of them large enough and doing a business sufficient to merit the 
title metropolitan. The several boroughs are well churched and well 
schooled. There are five main trunk line railroads and six distinct trol- 
ley lines, while the Monongahela river which touches all three boroughs 
of the community center carries a freightage greater than that of New 
York City, much of which originates here. 

The chapters of this book take up and elaborate these matters 
in detail. As its title implies, the purpose of the history committee is not 
so much to review what has hitherto been written, but to condense and 
preserve the events of recent times, bringing local history up to date. 



EARLY HISTORY AND PIONEER SETTLERS OF 
BRADDOCK'S FIELD. 

BY MISS DILLIE .STEINMETZ. 

In the early part of the eighteenth century the region along the 
Monongahela River near the junction of Turtle Creek was inhabited 
by Queen Alliquippa and her tribe, the Delawares. Her royal wigwam 
was located a short distance above the junction and here she ruled, with 
her tribe in complete and satisfied subjection to her authority. In 1742 
John Frazier, his wife and family, came to this wilderness from the country 
near Philadelphia. Frazier, perceiving the junction of Turtle Creek 
with the river, thought it a suitable place to build a cabin, and according- 
ly Alliquippa not only gave him permission to build, but also gave him a 
grant of several hundred acres of land. From historical and traditional 
stories concerning Frazier, there is no doubt of the fact that he was the 
first white settler west of the Alleghany Mountains. The site of this cabin 
has long since been obliterated by the great industrial plant, the Edgar 
Thomson Steel Works. Governor Dinwiddie, of Virginia, in his report 
at the Council and House of Burgesses of Virginia under date of Feb. 14, 
1754 refers to this cabin as mentioned by Washington in his report of his 
mission to the French constructing forts on the Ohio. Governor Dinwiddie 
states that Frazier had lived here upwards of twelve years. Also, Chris- 
topher Gist in his Journal says that he and Washington stayed there the 
night of Thursday, November 22, 1753, and again Sunday, December 30, 
and Monday, Dec. 31, 1753. 

Washington had made a trip to Fort Le Boeuf in the winter of 
1753-54 and reported that the French were contemplating building other 
forts. Accordingly Governor Dinwiddie was convinced that inaction 
on his part would lose to the English the whole of the Ohio Valley. A 
council was held at Alexandria, Va., on April 4, 1755, which decided to 
send an expedition against the French at Fort Duquesne, which was at the 
point where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers form the Ohio. 
General Edward Braddock who was commissioned General-in-Chief of His 
Majesty's forces in America, and who had arrived at Alexandria, Va., Feb. 
20, 1755, was to lead the expedition, assisted by Virginia provincials under 
George Washington. After a long, tedious and laborious march, Brad- 
dock's troops arrived at the spot, where the town of Braddock now stands, 



12 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



on July 9, 1755. They were marching along towards Fort Duquesne when 
a heavy, sharp fire of musketry was poured in upon them from an unseen 
foe. The troops became panic stricken, and when Braddock was mortally 






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PICTURE OF PLAN GRANTED TO WALLACE. 

wounded, Washington and his men covered the retreat, and carried the 
wounded general to a camp near the present city of Uniontown, where he 
died July 13, 1755. This conflict is known in history as Braddock's Defeat, 
and the territory where it occurred is Braddock's Field. In this conflict 
George Washington and his provincials were schooled in the arts of war 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 13 

which gave them the confidence in their prowess, that enabled them later 
successfully to throw off the yoke of oppression and establish a nation 
which is now attracting the admiration and wonder of the world. 

Another time this territory figures in the history of the country 
was in what is known as the Whiskey Rebellion. The Scotch-Irish farmers 
west of the Alleghanies lacking a ready market for their surplus grain, 
found that they could dispose of their corn and rye, by distilling it into 
whiskey. In 1791, Congress, to increase the revenue, put a tax on the 
product, and the people refused to pay it, saying it was oppressive. The au- 
thorities decided the tax must be paid, if force had to be used, and on Au- 
gust 1, 1794, the insurgents met on Braddock's Field, thousands of them, 
distillers and their sympathizers, all ready for any act of violence. Governor 
Mifflin being unable to quell the rebellion, President Washington declared 
the national government would. He called for troops from Pennsylvania and 
adjoining States and soon an army, fifteen thousand strong, was march- 
ing for the mountain barrier as Braddock and Forbes had marched years 
before. A show of force was enough and the insurgents yielded and there 
was no further trouble in collecting the tax. 

George Wallace, Esq., of Pittsburgh purchased a tract of 328 acres 
of land from Peter Rowletter, Rowletter having gotten it from Captain Ed- 
mondstone, who signed the grant in the name of King George of England, 
Edmondstone at that time being commandant at Fort Pitt. The records 
show he was the last British commandant of Fort Pitt. This tract of 
land called Braddock's Field was patented by the commonwealth of Penn- 
sylvania to Wallace on the Fourth of March, 1791. 

In 1804 Wallace built a country home on this grant which was known 
as the mansion and was occupied by Mr. Wallace and his wife. Mr. Wal- 
lace died and by the conditions of his will, at the death of his wife, the 
farm known as Braddock's Field was to go to his nephew, George Wallace. 
This said George Wallace became involved to the United States Bank, now 
the Bank of Pittsburgh, and the property was sold at sheriff's sale and pur- 
chased by the bank. 

The farm and the Mansion were bought in 1846 by James W. Bu- 
chanan and George H. Bell, and the records show, "the said Buchanan by 
Articles of Agreement, between him and the said Geo. H. Bell, dated July 
29, 1850, declared that he held the same for the use of himself and the 
said Bell, each being entitled to the undivided half thereof." The records 
further show that the part of Braddock's Field south of Braddock Street 
or the plank road was to be sold and any surplus, after meeting all bal- 



14 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

ances, was to be equally divided. Of the part north of said line Bell should 
have the land eastwardly of the Wilkinsburg Road, or the present Jones 
Avenue, and Buchanan the part westwardly of said road. 

George Bell, his wife, Margaret, and his family took up a residence 
in the Mansion about 1848, when it was relinquished by the Wallace fam- 
ily, and it has since remained in this family, being occupied at the present 
time by George Bell's daughter, Mrs. Allen Kirpatrick, a most amiable 
woman, and her daughter, Mrs. David F. Collingwood and family. This 
house is historically noted, for in it, Judge Wallace entertained, on his 
final visit to the United States in 1825, the loyal and true friend of the 
colonists, the Marquis De Lafayette. 

The southerly portion of the purchase was sold in different sized 
plots some as large as thirty acres. John Robinson bought a plot near 
the present Thirteenth Street on the northern side of the plank road on 
which he erected a large brick house in 1851-'52, known as the "Robinson 
House," which was occupied by the family and was a noted hostelry dur- 
ing the Civil War. Other pioneers who located on this tract were Jacob 
Williams, Major Furlong and Matthew Lawler. Across the plank road 
located such sterling citizens as George Hunter; David Bradford; Neil 
Mclntyre ; Thomas Cook ; Edward Sweeney ; John Crum ; the Boyd sisters, 
Jane and Mary, and Samuel McCutcheon. In this same district just east 
of the present Eleventh St. on the plank road, located a colony of Germans, 
all having come from Alsace-Lorraine, composed of the Holtzman ; Win- 
kenbaugh ; Schweinberg and Walters families. Mr. Holtzman came to 
Braddock's Field in 1852. Later he married and on Oct. 4, 1856, the first 
child in the family was born, Lewis F., at the present living on Holland 
Avenue. He has spent his life in the town of his birth, holding many posi- 
tions of trust, having been Justice of the Peace for more than a quarter 
of a century. He is a broad minded, liberal man taking a deep interest 
in everything that relates to the welfare of the community. 

Mr. and Mrs. John Walters came to Braddock's Field about 1854. 
Mrs. Walters was known as "Granny Walters" to thousands of people of 
Braddock and the vicinity, and especially to the children, who knew her for 
her pleasing disposition and kind words. Two early settlers of worth who 
located near the others were Edward McCrady and wife, nee Rebecca Ham- 
ilton, known to the people of the new settlement as "Mother McCrady" 
for her kindness and hospitality. Their sons are the largest contracting 
firm in the district, known as McCrady Bros. A piece of ground on Tal- 
bot Avenue and Eleventh Street was bought by Wilkins Township, for the 




VIEWS OF THE MANSION. 



16 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

first school which was erected on the famous field, in 1858. From this 
school emanated many boys and girls who have become men and women of 
influence and power in the world. Adjoining the school property settled 
a man of gigantic stature and a unique character, W. W. McDowell, who 
with his two maiden sisters, Eliza and Mary, came from Green Springs, 
located across the Monongahela River, which was the center of activity 
in those days due to the coal mines developed there. 

A pioneer riverman, Captain Wilson Packer, who had towed coal 
boats down the river for years, and whose tow boats later rendered the 
United States government valuable aid at the battles of Pittsburgh Land- 
ing, Memphis, and Vicksburg, built himself a fine home, on the east side 
of Eleventh Street along the river, in 1853. Here the family resided un- 
til the death of the parents many years later. 

In the early fifties, Matthew Henning, a man whose influence for 
good was far reaching and invaluable in the establishing of a new com- 
munity, and William Redman, a man of remarkable judgment and very 
retiring disposition, both of the firm of Henning & Redman, who operated 
the coal works at Green Springs, bought a large tract of land extending 
from Eleventh Street to Redman's Lane, the present Ninth Street, and 
from the plank road to the river. Later they divided the land at the 
present Tenth Street, Mr. Henning taking the eastern section and Mr. 
Redman the western. In the fall of 1853 Mr. Henning with his refined 
Christian wife moved into the new home on Eleventh Street near the 
river, just opposite the Packer home, where they lived until their deaths 
having reared a large family of intelligent, useful children. 

Mr. Redman lived in a home on Ninth Street near the river, where 
he with his wife, who before her marriage 
was Ann Fawcett, raised a large family, 
many of whom are still among the leading 
citizens of Braddock. This lady will always 
be remembered by the people of the borough 
and vicinity as bright, intelligent, kind 
"Grandma Redman". She was only recently 
called to her reward at the venerable age of 
eighty-nine years. A member of this fam- 
ily, Charles, born in the Redman Homestead, 
June 27, 1854, is the oldest living native citi- 
zen of Braddock. 

Some of the earliest settlers on this 
tract of land which had been converted into charles redman. 




The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



17 





\VM. REDMAN. 



MRS. ANN REDMAN. 



an orchard were Zachariah Brown, his brother Allan, and sister Mrs. 
Dietrich, who moved to the Fields from Turtle Creek in 1857, and still re- 
side here; Samuel Hart, a Civil War Veteran, who was always ready to 
tell of his service for Uncle Sam in the true spirit of loyalty. His wife 
and he lived to be very old people and were highly respected citizens. 
A neighbor of Mr. Hart was Thomas Strathern, whose name is a precious 
memory to many Braddock people. He lived to a great age leaving behind 
a large family of the second and third generations to revere his memory. 
In 1852 Martin Bowling and wife and family of fifteen came to 
the field from Green Springs and located on Braddock Avenue, near Tenth 
Street. Two of his daughters, Mrs. Katherine Eaton and Mrs. Eliza Hol- 
leran are still living in the same square where their father located. Mrs. 





MATTHEW HENNING. 



MRS. MATTHEW HENNING. 



18 



The Unwritten History of Eraddock's Field. 





ISAAC MILLS, si;. 



mi:s. i.i.i/. \i:kth mills 



Eaton is in her seventy-ninth year and remembers clearly and speaks ac- 
curately of the early period. She says, "When we moved to Eraddock's 
Field in '52 there were only a few houses as there were only a few people 
in the territory. The houses I remember were the Wallace House, the 
Robinson House, which had just been completed; the Billy Smith Cottage, 
a brick dwelling- which still stands on Braddock Avenue near Thirteenth 
Street ; the William Redman home on Ninth Street ; the John Hughes home 
nn the southeastern corner of Ninth Street and Talbot Avenue; the 
Thomas Fawcett home on the northeastern corner of said streets, he 
being Mrs. Ann Redman's father ; a cottage close to the river near the Red- 
man home, which was one of the Wallace farm houses, and was occupied by 
a family named Wagner; the Mills home, a small house near Eighth 





JAMES McCLEARY 



MRS. JAMES M.CLEARY. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 19 

Street on Braddock Avenue occupied by John House, who operated the 
brick yard, located near the site of the present water works, which was 
started by a man named Price in 1846; the house on Oak Street known 
as the Todd house, was one of the Wallace farm houses; the little fort- 
like house at the head of Eighth Street, where the State Bank now stands, 
was the lodge of the gate keeper on the Wallace farm. My father built 
a small four roomed house opposite the site of the St. Thomas Church. 
The fields were all used as farm land and the land toward Port Perry 
where the Edgar Thomson Steel Works now stands was a hickory grove 
where the children went nutting." 

A man who added financial and social influence to the community 
was Dr. J. D. Schooley, who had for years almost the exclusive medical 
practice of the district. His homestead stood on Braddock Avenue just 
east of Ninth Street. His son Dr. A. W. Schooley succeeded his father 
and has had the esteem and confidence of the people of Braddock for 
years. Dr. Linn and Dr. Maggini were prominent physicians in the early 
history of Braddock. A man of strong character and decision of purpose 
who came to this section in the days of the stage coach and who Iater 
by thrift and economy had large holdings was John Sherwin. James 
Petty was also one of the oldest citizens. He was one of the first of the 
"forty-niners" to drive a mule team from St. Joe to Sacramento. He 
was an ardent Republican and manifested great interest in the politics of 
the section. Edward Oskin and his sons and grand sons have fixed the 
stamp of enterprise and thrift on the borough. James Berkey, David 
Antis, Charles Kelly, John Giles, Hugh and John Soles and Jacob Weber, 
the first shoemaker of the borough, were re- 
liable energetic pioneers. Samuel Rothauff, 
who located on Talbot Avenue at the foot of 
Tenth Street and raised a large family whose 
descendants are residents of the present bor- 
ough, was one of the first settlers. The 
father-in-law of one of his grandsons, 
Mr. James Hanlon, is the oldest living 
resident of the borough at the present time, 
being ninety-one years old, May 4, 1917. 
Peter Seewald and Conrad Speidel were sub- 
stantial citizens and keen business men. A 
man of wonderful energy and strict integrity 
james hanlon. was H ope Hand, who came from Port Perry 




20 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

in '63 and became one of the borough's reliable citizens. 

The tract from Ninth Street to Eighth Street, and from Braddock 
Avenue to the river was bought by Reese and Berger. This was later 
occupied by such men as McVey and Walker, who started one of the first 
manufacturing plants in Braddock, the foundry, in 1865, which was active 
until about two years ago, when it was destroyed by fire; James Horton, 
a man of force of character ; William McAdams, a man with a keen sense of 
right and duty and a very retiring disposition, who is still living at the 
advanced age of eighty-three years; T. W. Sharp, a faithful and zealous 
citizen, known to his fellow men as "Honest Tom"; James McCleary, who 
came to Braddock's Field in 1855, a sincere, conscientious man, who en- 
joyed the respect and confidence of all classes, and when the borough was 
incorporated had the honor of being its first "Squire". His only son Wil- 
liam, familiarly known as "Duke" was born here and has spent all his life 
here being one of our progressive citizens. H. M. Lytle was a successful bus- 
iness man showing an active interest in things that related to the bet- 
terment of conditions. John Ebner, who came to Braddock in 1866 direct 
from Germany, was one of our first butchers and was a reliable dealer. 
These sterling characters had the interests of the district at heart and 
when it became a borough gave of their time and energy to establish it 
on a firm foundation. 

The portion from Eighth Street to Seventh Street and from the 
present Pennsylvania Railroad to the river was bought by Col. Parker, 
who built a colonial mansion, which was a land mark for half a century 
or more and was razed in 1912 to give place to the new government building, 
which is a very artistic, substantial structure and an ornament to the 
district. 

The plot from Seventh Street to Sixth Street and from the Penn- 
sylvania Railroad to the river was bought by Lang and Miller. Later 
it was occupied by William Sarver, a stalwart man, who came here when 
the battle field was a farm, and helped to till the soil. He raised a large 
family. One son, William, who was born here Jan. 1, 1856, still lives 
in the borough, having lived here all his life. A settler who is a man re- 
markable for his vitality and progressiveness at the age of eighty-seven 
is Joseph Walton, who lives here with his wife a few years his junior, 
having come from Butler County. In a log cabin near Sixth Street on 
Braddock Avenue, Peter Baughman and his wife, Elizabeth, located in 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 21 

the early fifties and were known to people of the community as "Father 
and Mother Baughman." 

In 1804 Steven Mills came with his family from Morristown, N. J., 
in the Conestoga Wagon, and located on the Troy Plantation, at what is 
now City Farm Station, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, building a 
log cabin, a few hundred yards west of the present site of Carrie Blast 
Furnace Plant, which stood there until about eighteen years ago. While 
living here Mr. Mills negotiated for the purchase of the "Petersburg Plan- 
tation," the boundaries of which were approximately a line starting at 
the Monongahela River at a point near the present foot of Sixth Street 
and Corey Avenue, thence to Coalmont Street, North Braddock, thence 
across the hill to Hannatown and thence down through Tassey Hollow 
south to the river. Before the consummation of the purchase Steven 
Mills died, and his oldest son, Isaac, completed the deal and obtained a 
title to the property from the Bank of the United States later the Bank 
of Pittsburgh. After the purchase of this farm, Isaac Mills married 
Elizabeth, the daughter of Col. John Snodgrass, in 1833, and resided in 
a log cabin on the brow of the hill, between the present Fourth and Fifth 
Streets, overlooking the river. They lived in this house until 1847, when 
Isaac Mills Sr. began the erection of a new home near the site of the old 
one, which was completed in 1850, and which was the Mills Homestead 
until 1906, when it was purchased by the Braddock General Hospital As- 
sociation, and is now the central one of a group of buildings known as 
the Braddock General Hospital. Isaac Mills, Sr. and his esteemed wife 
took an active interest in the development of Braddock and vicinity. They 
were interested in the industrial, religious and civic life of the community. 
This man was one of the sturdy pioneers who were responsible for the 
laying out of the town of Braddock, and the incorporation of the borough 
and he was honored by being its first burgess. He was a man of great 
physical strength, a public spirited citizen, and a man true to his convic- 
tions. His interest in the affairs of the town and the welfare of its 
people continued throughout his very active life to the time of his death 
in 1879. His large family of children have taken an active part in the 
borough which their parents helped to create. Isaac, Jr. filled the office 
of burgess, Charles was the founder of the Braddock Daily News ; and Eliza 
was one of the instructors in the first schools of the district. 

Other enterprising early residents whose achievements have added 
greatly to the material prosprity, social, political and moral influence of 
the community are: Captain Thos. Lapsley, who served in the struggle 
for the preservation of the Union, and his loyal wife; Jordon Fritzius, Sr., 



22 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

a man of strong convictions and courageous spirit; Washington McClure, 
one of the old timers from Green Springs, who was a good humored citizen 
and an old time riverman. Jonathan Shallenberger and his devoted wife 
were esteemed citizens ; Henry his brother, is at present cashier of the State 
Bank of Braddock. William Gettys Holland and wife and family came 
to Braddock's Field in 1852 from Ohio. His son, Robert M., who married 
Jonathan Shallenberger's daughter, held many positions of trust in the 
borough, and was a man of keen judgment. William, another son, was 
an honest business man of the district. Mrs. Sarah Holland McCune, 
his daughter, has always taken an active part in the growth and contribu- 
ted to the advancement of the municipality. She attended school, before 
there was a public school building, when it was held in the basement of 
the Disciple Church at the head of Eleventh Street on Braddock Avenue. 
She completed her education in the two roomed school built on the present 
site of the Carnegie School. Later she taught in the schools for many 
years, and many of the citizens hold as a treasure the influence of such 
a character as Mrs. S. E. McCune. She is still living and is a very young 
woman in looks and speech although in her seventy-eighth year. She 
came to Braddock's Field the same year Mrs. Eaton did and remembers 
the district at the time to be much as it has been described in this article. 
James A. Russell, an energetic and sagacious business man, was the lead- 
ing undertaker and embalmer of the district for many years. John G. 
Dowler and his sons, Eli and Thomas, who came to Braddock in 1861, en- 
gaging in the lumber business, were substantial citizens and wise bus- 
iness men. C. C. Fawcett was a very influential and progressive citizen of 
Braddock for years, but a few years ago he went back to the original 
Fawcett farm near McKeesport to live at ease. Margaret Bell, who 
was a teacher in the first schools of the locality, and by her teaching and 
influence did much to mold the character of the later citizens, endeared 
herself to all the early settlers. Walter Collins and his wife have lived 
here many years noting the remarkable changes in the surroundings. 
Philip Sharah, a man far advanced in years has lived here the greater part 
of his life and has always been pleased to note the progress. Alexander 
Dempster, was a most capable and efficient business man and by his 
sagacity did much to promote the welfare of the district. Daniel McCain, 
a bridge builder by trade, came to Braddock about 1865, and reared a 
large, refined, cultured family who have contributed to the advancement 
of the section. John Benn was a large property holder and a man of 
power. William Fritzius, Thomas Cosgrove and Owen Sheekey were 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 23 

progressive men who were always interested in the welfare of their fel- 
low citizens. Mrs. B. L. Wood and her family located on a tract of land 
on Braddock Avenue extending east from Second Street and they became 
reliable citizens always ready to co-operate in any movement for advance- 
ment. Mrs. Boli came with her family from Port Perry and located on 
upper Second Street, where she still lives and is a very active, intelligent 
woman although in her eighty-eighth year. Thomas Addenbrook, a man 
who has always had the welfare of the community at heart, has been in- 
strumental in bringing about many reforms that have been for the up- 
lift of the people of the vicinity, and has for his wife the eldest daughter 
of Matthew Henning. She is no less interested, in the good of the peo- 
ple of Braddock, than her husband. 

The plot east of the Wilkinsburg Road held by George Bell was 
later occupied by his sons-in-law Joseph Anderson and Allen Kirkpatrick, 
highly respected citizens. On the west side of the road J. B. Corey bought 
a part of the ground, held by James Buchanan, in 1865, coming from 
Port Perry. Here he, in his eighty-fifth year, and his venerable wife, in 
her eighty-third year, and his daughter Mrs. Weimer and her family live 
in a neat cozy house, just north of the Pennsylvania Railroad. He is a 
man of keenest intellect, wonderful energy, enduring perseverance, and 
temperate habits, and though he has passed so many mile stones these 
attributes are still an index to his daily record. It is interesting to note 
in this connection that Mr. Corey's granddaughter, Miss Elizabeth L. R. 
Weimer, is at present the very energetic President of the Braddock Red 
Cross, which is establishing an enviable record. 

Many influential people located in this district and contributed a 
great deal in energy and suggestion to the growth and welfare of the 
community. Of such we mention James Stewart and George Bayard 
who came to Braddock's Field in 1827 and 1836 respectively, and resided 
here for many years witnessing many changes ; John Harrison, a pioneer 
resident, who lived here long before the timber was cleared away; John 
and Alexander McCaulley, who were in and around Braddock and saw 
it transformed from a wilderness to a thriving city; John Kolb, Sr., who 
came direct from Vienna to Braddock, in 1847, with, it has been told, 
only twenty-five cents in his pockets when he arrived, but by thrift and 
economy was able to accumulate considerable and was a highly respected 
citizen. Mr. Kolb's two sons, Emery and Ellsworth Kolb, Braddock boys, 
have recently won distinction by their explorations and moving pictures of 
the Colorado canyon. Mrs. Barkley, known as "Black Bab", who had been 
a slave of Judge Wallace, and to whom he had given a tract of three acres 



24 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



off the west side of the Braddock Farm; but neglecting to acquire the legal 
papers for the dower, she eventually lost it, but continued to live in the 
little log house with her husband and family until her death; John Bald- 
ridge, a Westmoreland County boy, who was identified with some of the 
leading enterprises of the community ; David Elliot, who inherited his 
grandfather, David Soles's, farm, and to a degree inherited his grandsire's 
frugality and thrift; Benjamin Braznell, a sturdy English coal miner, one 
of Braddock's most enterprising citizens; Rev. Lauck, who in 1865 was 
one of Braddock's largest property holders, and who laid out in town lots 
a large part of what is now North Braddock ; Major R. E. Stewart, a 
major in the civil war, who was one of the leading attorneys of the Alle- 
gheny County bar and an upright citizen. ; Philip Marks, who was a 
pioneer settler and a man of keen judgment and strict integrity; Abe 
Best, who came from Westmoreland County and served as burgess and 
constable in North Braddock for many years, and who is at the present 
time night sergeant. He is eighty years old and is said to be the oldest 
person in active service in the district. 

On the adjoining farms to Braddock's Field farm, were the McKin- 
neys, to the northeast; Col. William Miller on a farm to the southeast; on 
the south, across the river, on the hillside overlooking the Braddock Farm, 
the "Irish Gentleman," a noble man, Thomas J. Kenney; on the west, to the 
south John Adams owned a farm ; descendants of Adams were later citizens 
of Braddock ; to the west the property of Thomas Rankin, for whom Rankin 
Borough was named ; to the north west the farms of Col. W. G. Hawkins 
and Robert Milligan ; to the north overlooking the famous Braddock Farm 
that of David Soles and adjoining this the McKelvy and Kelly Farms. 





GEO. H. BELL. 



MRS. GEORGE H. BELL. 



BRADDOCK AND THE COAL INDUSTRY. 

BY S. R. MeCLTJKE, ESQ. 

The mining of coal, while for a time a chief industry of Braddock, 
shows at the present time little evidence of having been a principal fac- 
tor in the upbuilding of the community. As compared with the large 
mines of the present day, the mines at Braddock were small. This was 
necessarily the case from the fact that the land is cut up into compara- 
tively small sections by deep ravines, and each hill was mined by itself. 
The history of Braddock is somewhat related to the mines about Port 
Perry, but is principally concerned with the mines in the two hills included 
in the Borough of North Braddock, these two hills being separated by the 
Sixth Street ravine, or, as it is called in North Braddock, East Sixth 
Street. 

Historians have written of Braddock in the early days before the 
advent of the white man among these hills, of Queen Aliquippa and other 
legendary characters, of Washington's visit to this district while on his 
famous journey from Virginia to Fort Duquesne and Lake Erie, of his 
stopping at Frazier's Cabin and his visit to the mythical Tonnaluka's 
Cave, and of the later clay when Braddock's Field was marked by a few 
farm houses and well kept farms, while Port Perry was a thrifty village, 
and much more has been said of Braddock and the steel trade and the place 
of Braddock in the beginning of Carnegie's operations in the building of 
the most wonderful system of iron works the world has ever known. But 
little has been said of that intermediate period which marks the beginning 
of the coal mining industry at Braddock; the days when a visitor to Brad- 
dock might see nothing of the now familiar sights, but in the early morn- 
ing hours the coal miners, with their lamps on their caps, wending their 
way to the pits on the hillsides. 

The old coal miners of the Braddock district included many indus- 
trious, thrifty and prosperous men. Conspicuous among these are the 
late Benjamin S. Braznell (owner of the Braznell Block), who, beginning 
in the Braddock district as a coal digger, became an operator, at one time 
a member of the firm of A. A. Corey & Company, and later engaged in 
larger operations in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and Alexander Demps- 
ter (owner of the Dempster Block), well known in this district as a coal 
and real estate operator. A catalogue of the successful coal miners of the 



26 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



Braddock District would be a long list and would include the names of 
many of our respected citizens. 




i i ■. c 1 1 1 : i • : -i 



The earliest coal mining in the district was in the hill east and 
north of Port Perry, on a tract of land then known as the Miller farm, 
long owned by Colonel W. L. Miller. These mines were opened about 1835 
to 1840. It was here that J. B. Corey, later one of the principal operators 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 27 

in the Braddock district, got his first experience in coal mines and from 
there he began his career as a coal shipper. This was before the time of 
railroads in this district and the coal was floated down the river in what 
were called "joe boats". These boats were fifty to sixty feet in length and 
about sixteen feet in width and were loaded two or three feet deep with 
one to three thousand bushels of coal. By 1840 the boats were increased 
in size to seventy-five feet in length and by 1850 they had grown to one 
hundred seventy feet in length by twenty-five feet in width and were 
loaded seven feet deep and a pair of the boats would contain as much as 
seventy thousand bushels of coal. These boats were floated to all points 
down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, much of the coal going to New Or- 
leans. The business was hazardous, boats being often wrecked, the mar- 
ket being sometimes overstocked, and the sale of the coal at a profitable 
price being uncertain. 

At the time of the secession of the southern states, Mr. Corey was 
connected with a firm which included Judge Thomas Mellon. The firm 
had made heavy shipments of coal to New Orleans. The coal of the 
northern men was at that time confiscated with the result that this com- 
pany was apparently ruined, having lost all its invested capital and it 
would require Fifty Thousand Dollars additional to pay its debts. The 
New Orleans agent of the firm, however, was pressed into the Rebel serv- 
ice and directed to look after the coal. He managed to so place the coal 
that when orders were issued for a boat of the confiscated coal, the coal 
of other companies was taken out to fill the order. This continued until 
Commodore Farragut and General Butler came with the Union forces and 
drove out the Rebel Army and not only was the coal saved, but coal had 
greatly advanced in price so that the firm instead of being Fifty Thousand 
Dollars in debt was Two Hundred Thousand Dollars to the good. 

The first coal operations in Braddock are difficult to define. From 
the time of the earliest settlers there were various pits, as they were 
called, opened into the edge of the coal veins for the purpose of getting 
fuel for the settlers. Early in the history of the district, George Bell and 
J. W. Buchanan, who bought a large tract of land covering the eastern 
portions of Braddock and North Braddock, undertoook coal mining but 
made little progress. Mr. Bell attempted to open a pit in the Upper Sixth 
Street ravine, but a dispute arose between him and Isaac Mills (the owner 
of the large Mills farm, which included the westerly part of Braddock 
and North Braddock) as to the location of the boundary line between their 
farms. This dispute lasted many years in the courts and ultimately the 
administrators of the estates of both these men sold the right to mine the 



28 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

coal to J. B. Corey & Company, who operated in the hill west of Sixth 
Street. 

The earliest operations were in the hill on the east side of the Sixth 
Street ravine. It is said that the pits first opened were those below the 
Braddock Cemetery. Thomas Fauset, an early land owner in this dis- 
trict, hauled coal from the mine to the river and floated it to Pittsburgh, 
about 1843. There were tracks constructed down the Sixth Street hollow 
for the operators on both sides of the ravine. In getting the coal out of the 
mines on the east side of the ravine dogs were used for a time. The use 
of dogs in mines is well known to Welsh coal miners, but apparently few 
people of the present day know of their use in this valley, though the old 
men who are familiar with the coal mines of this district remember their 
use in various places throughout the valley. The miner wore over his 
shoulder, straps made in form somewhat after the manner of shoulder 
braces, with a hook at the back. From this a chain was attached to the 
small mine car and as the miner pulled his loaded car out of the mine, the 
dog, trained to harness, pulled by his side, or if the miner had two dogs, 
one pulled at each side. The dogs used in the mines were large strong 
dogs and were the property of the miners who used them in their work. 
The dogs fought among themselves, as dogs will do, and were somewhat 
feared by other residents of the community, but generally they were good 
workers and loyal to their masters. Later, mules were purchased by the 
operators to move the cars in the mine and these in turn were supplanted 
by steam power. Joseph Taylor, grandfather of John Taylor, of Jones 
Avenue, is remembered as one of the earliest mine superintendents of this 
district. 

The Robinson pit was opened at a point below the present location 
of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Thirteenth Street by John Robinson, more 
famous on account of the Robinson House, the old hotel of stage-coach 
days, which stood until a few years ago just above Braddock Avenue near 
Thirteenth Street. The Robinson pit employed only a few men. The 
cars were lowered by gravity to a point near the present location of the 
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, from which point the men pushed them down to 
the river and loaded the coal on flats. 

There were other small pits in the east hill. Alexander Dempster 
for awhile conducted a mine for the local trade. The McCauley pit for the 
local trade was opened about the present location of Kellar & Milliken's 
brick works, under that part of the hill once known as Hillside Park. An- 
other pit, known as the McKinney pit, was opened west of that, under 
the old earthwork forts which were constructed during the Civil War. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 29 

The principal mine in this hill, however, was at the head of Robinson 
Street. It was first opened as a country pit, was operated at one time by 
John Giles, at another by Cheney & Baldwin, and was later operated ex- 
tensively by General Felix Negley. When the Civil War broke out, Gen- 
eral Negley left the mine to join the army and it was operated by a com- 
pany in which Judge Thomas Mellon was interested. For use of the 
miners the operators erected about a dozen houses, the group being re- 
ferred to collectively in the old days as "The Patch". These houses were 
constructed two stories high in front, with a one story kitchen at the rear. 




BENJAMIN BRAZNELL. 

About half of these houses were situated above the present location of 
Bessemer Station. One of them is still standing above Bell Avenue. The 
rest of them were located about Thirteenth Street. When these miners' 
houses were built, there were only about a dozen other houses in all within 
the present limits of North Braddock Borough. The daily output of the 
mine in its best days was two to three thousand bushels and was shipped 
to Pittsburgh by railroad; the Pennsylvania Railroad, a single track line 
having been constructed about 1850 from Pittsburgh as far east as Brin- 
ton. A track from the coal mine was constructed from the pit mouth down 
the hill along the present location of Robinson Street. 



30 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

Little was done in the hill west of Sixth Street until 1865, when J. 
B. Corey organized a company and bought out the rights of both parties 
involved in the disputed property line which had long been the subject of 
litigation between Isaac Mills and George Bell. The company included 
John Baldridge, who for many years took an active part in its manage- 
ment and upon the dissolution of the company bought much of the 
land which the company had owned. This company, about 1865, 
opened three pits near the present location of Coalmont Street. A track 
was constructed down Sixth Street Hollow, and during the eighteen years 
through which the mining continued, coal was taken out of about two hun- 
dred fifty acres, including a large part of the Mills and Soles farms. When 
the market was good, from one hundred to one hundred fifty miners were 
employed and the output of the mine was from five thousand to eight 
thousand bushels daily. Mr. Corey prides himself on being the author of 
a sliding scale agreement under which the company made its contract 
with the miners in its employ and through the use of which strike troubles 
were greatly reduced. The work in this hill was completed by a new 
company organized by A. A. Corey and known as A. A. Corey & Co. 

Dickson, Stewart & Company, who are known as coal operators in 
this valley, constructed the lime kilns on top of the east hill overlooking 
the Sixth Street ravine and had some coal mines about Swissvale, operated 
extensively under Oak Hill, near Turtle Creek, and opened the mines 
which were later owned and operated by the New York and Cleveland 
Gas Coal Company about Turtle Creek and east and north of Braddock. 
The Duquesne mines, commonly called Mucklerat, north of Hannatown, 
were long operated by the New York and Cleveland Gas Coal Company, 
until labor troubles became so continuous and so violent that the company 
was compelled to close the mine and abandon it. After it had been closed 
for some years, it was reopened by Mr. J. B. Corey, who entered into con- 
tract with the miners of that district under the sliding scale agreement 
that had been used by his company in North Braddock and the mine was 
then operated for several years without serious trouble. 

There has continued a little mining of coal in the hills of North 
Braddock, taking out remnants of coal here and there, and cleaning out the 
old mines, until the present time. The coal miners of the early days and 
their children, however, as the coal mines in this district were worked 
out, took up other lines of business or employment and the history of coal 
mining in Braddock was practically ended with the closing of the Corey 
mine about 1883. 



TRANSPORTATION ON THE MONONGAHELA. 

BY W. ESrEY ALBIG. 

Although the traffic on the Monongahela River from Brownsville 
to the Ohio had advanced from the canoe of the Indian and the Kentucky 
boat of the emigrant of Revolutionary times, to a water borne traffic of 
no mean size in passengers and miscellaneous freight, and to more than a 
million bushels of coal annually before the Monongahela waterway was 
improved by the installation of locks and dams late in 1841, yet no records 
remain of the constantly increasing stream of commerce passing over 
this route between the east and west. Here and there remains a frag- 
ment from a traveler, a ship builder or a merchant giving a glimpse of 
the river activity of the later years of the 18th century and the early ones 
of the 19th century. 

The Ohio Company recognized the importance of this waterway, and 
early in 1754 Captain Trent on his way to the forks of the Ohio by Nema- 
colin's and the Redstone trails built "The Hangard" at the mouth of Red- 
stone Creek. From April 17th, when he surrendered his works to the 
French and retreated in canoes up the Monongahela, this avenue became 
more and more important until the steam railways supplanted the slow- 
er traffic by water. 

The easy navigation of this stream led that man of keen insight. 
General Washington, into error, when, under date of May 27th, 1754, he 
writes: "This morning Mr. Gist arrived from his place, where a detach- 
ment of fifty men (French) was seen yesterday I immediately de- 
tached seventy-five men in pursuit of them, who I hope will overtake them 
before they get to Redstone, where their canoes lie." 

These men, however, had come by Nemacolin's Trail ; but the force 
of 500 French and 400 Indians which followed close upon the heels of 
Washington after his defeat of Jumonville, and captured him at Fort 
Necessity, came up the Monongahela from Fort Duquesne in piraguas. 

The expedition of General Braddock in 1755, disastrous though it 
was, opened up the way from the East to the fertile lands of the Ohio 
Valley. Under date of May 24th, 1766, George Groghan, Deputy Indian 
Agent, writes from Fort Pitt: "As soon as the peace was made last year 
(By Colonel Bouquet) contrary to our engagements to them (the Indians) 
a. number of our people came over the Great Mountain and settled at Red- 



32 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

stone Creek, and upon the Monongahela, before they (the Indians) had 
given the country to the King, their Father." 

A letter written from Winchester, Virginia, under date of April 
30th, 1765, says: "The frontier inhabitants of this colony and Maryland 
are removing fast over the Alleghany Mountains in order to settle and 
live there." 

This migration was augmented by Pennsylvanians, following the 
act passed in 1780, which provided for the gradual abolition of slavery. 
About this time, too, it became generally known that the Monongahela 
Valley was Pennsylvania territory rather than of Virginia. Kentucky 
was an inviting district and her charms were made patent to all. So 
general became migration to Kentucky that the name "Kentucky Boat" 
was applied to the flat used in transportation on the Monongahela at that 
time. Boat yards for the constructing of all manner of river craft were 
opened at Brownsville where the overland route from Cumberland and 
the east first reached communication with the western waters, and at 
Elizabethtown (now Elizabeth) fourteen miles from the mouth of the 
Monongahela River. 

In 1784 a petition was presented at the September term of the 
Fayette County Court for a road from "Redstone Old Fort along the river 
side to the grist — and sawmill at the mouth of Little Redstone and to 
Collo. Edward Cook's," since, "the intercourse along the river is so con- 
siderable, by reason of the number of boats for passengers, which are 
almost constantly building in different parts along the River side." The 
petition was granted. 

The Pennsylvania Journal, of Philadelphia, in its issue of February 
13th, 1788, carried the statement that "Boats of every dimension may be 

had at Elizabethtown, in the course of next spring and summer 

where provisions of all kinds may be had at a very cheap rate, particularly 
flour, there being no less than six grist mills in the circumference of three 
or four miles." In its issue of August 20th in the same year the Penn- 
sylvania Journal carried an advertisement that at "Elizabeth, town on 
the Monongahela" the proprietor (Stephen Bayard) "has erected a boat- 
yard , where timber is plenty, and four of the best Boat Builders 

from Philadelphia are constantly employed." 

Captain John May, who gave his name to the settlement at the mouth 
of Limestone Creek, Kentucky, and who in 1790 was killed by the Indians 
while descending the Ohio, under the date of May 5th, 1788, writes in 
his diary: "This day was raised here (at Elizabethtown) a large shed for 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 33 

building boats. Almost all the Kentucky boats from the east pass this 
place: near two hundred have passed this spring." 

The hardships entailed by this migration were enormous. Dur- 
ing the severe winters when the Monongahela was ice bound the road 
leading through Brownsville to the river was lined on both sides with 
emigrant wagons whose occupants with difficulty prevented themselves 
from perishing from the cold. 

The Indian ravages on the boats on the Ohio and on the settlers 
in the Kentucky country occurred with terrifying frequency. Possibly 
fifteen hundred people perished through these attacks in the seven years 
following the close of the Revolutionary War. Finally the boats going 
down from Pittsburgh formed in brigades. Denny's Military Journal, 
of April 19th, 1790, gives an account of one such flotilla containing 
sixteen "Kentucky Boats," and two keel boats. The flat boats were 
lashed together three abreast and kept in one line. The women and 
children along with the animals were placed in the middle boats, while 
the outside ones were defended and worked by the men. These boats 
were guarded on either flank by the keels. In this case the Indians did 
not attack, but the unwieldy craft were almost wrecked in a furious storm 
of wind and rain. Despite these drawbacks, however, by 1790 the Ken- 
tucky country had a population of approximately seventy-four thousand 
people, many of whom had come down the Monongahela. 

With the opening by France of the West Indies to trade and the 
right of deposit secured at New Orleans from Spain, the western trade, 
enormously expanded, bid fair to be controlled by Pennsylvania. Pitts- 
burgh at the mouth of the Monongahela had a commanding part of that 
traffic. Except for three or four months in the dry season this town 
was crowded with emigrants for the western country. Boat building 
was the chief industry of the place. Log canoes, pirogues, skiffs, ba- 
teaux, arks, Kentucky broad horns, New Orleans boats, barges, and keel 
boats with masts and sails — all were waiting the emigrant. The peo- 
ple of the Tennessee and Kentucky country brought all their supplies 
from Philadelphia and from Baltimore, now almost an equal commercial 
rival of her northern neighbor, and shipped their produce to New Orleans. 

On March 31st, 1836, the "Monongahela Navigation Company" was 
authorized by Act of Assembly. It was to make a slack water navigation 
from Pittsburgh to the Virginia State line, and as much farther as Vir- 
ginia would allow it to go. The capital was to be $300,000, in shares of 
fifty. The locks were to be four and one-half feet high. The charter 



34 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

was issued in 1837. The state subscribed §25,000, and later in 1840, 
$100,000 on condition "That all descending crafts owned by citizens of 
Pennsylvania, not calculated or intended to return, from any point be- 
tween Millsborough and the Virginia State line, shall pass free of toll thru 
any lock or dam of the lower division of said improvement, until the com- 
pany shall put the first dam above Brownsville in the second division under 
contract, and complete the same " 

The ill-starred United States Bank, now an institution of Pennsyl- 
vania, was required to subscribe for $100,000 of stock. The total sub- 
scriptions amounted to $308,100. From Pittsburgh to Brownsville was 
found to be fifty-five and one-half miles, and the ascent thirty-three and 
one-half feet; forty-one feet — a total of ninety and one-half miles, and 
ascent of seventy-four and one-half feet, requiring seventeen dams. High- 
er dams were then authorized, making four necessary below Brownsville, 
and three above to the State line. 

Before these dams could be completed the credit of the state, which 
had been strained to the breaking point during the '20's and '30's for in- 
ternal improvements, broke; the United States Bank collapsed, leaving 
unfilled its obligation of $50,000 to the Company; many of the private 
stockholders refused payment; the State's subscription of $100,000, be- 
ing in bonds was collected at a loss ; Baltimore capitalists refused aid ; 
and, crowning all, a break developed in Dam No. 1 in 1843, which made 
expensive repair necessary. The whole project became a "mortification 
to its friends and projectors, and a nuisance to the navigation." The 
Legislature, however, in order to improve the financial condition of the 
state, directed, by Act of July 27th, 1842, repeated by Act of April 8th, 
1843, sales of all its corporation stocks, including the $125,000 in this Com- 
pany. This stock was bought in for $7,187.50 by a group of men — who 
with effective energy had on November 13th, 1844, the entire improve- 
ment repaired and completed for use to Brownsville, where connection 
was made with the National Road, which in turn connected at Cumber- 
land, seventy-five miles distant, with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad 
from Baltimore. Pittsburgh at last was brought within thirty hours 
of the Atlantic Seaboard. 

Long before the Monongahela River had been improved, however, 
and the steamboat had driven the keel boat and the flat boat from the 
western waters, the feeble frontier settlements of the Monongahela Val- 
ley were preparing to utilize the commercial possibilities of the south- 
west. In 1800 certain farmers near Elizabeth built a schooner of two 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 35 

hundred and fifty tons burden, launched it in the spring of 1801, christen- 
ing it the "Monongahela Farmer." Her cargo taken on at Elizabeth 
and Pittsburgh, consisted, among other things, of 721 barrels of flour, 
500 barrels of whiskey, 4,000 deer skins, 2,000 bear skins, large quantities 
of hemp and flax, and firearms, ammunition and provision for the crew, 
which consisted of eight men. The vessel was not rigged for sailing at 
this time. In the instructions to the master, Mr. Jno. Walker, he is 
directed to "proceed without unnecessary delay to the City of New Or- 
leans Should the markets for flour be low at New Orleans and the 

vessel appear to sell to disadvantage you in that case have it in your 
power to sell a part of the cargo, to purchase rigging, fit out the vessel and 
employ hands to sail her to any of the Islands you in your Judgment and 
to the Best information May think best, and then make sale of the ves- 
sel and cargo." 

This boat left Pittsburgh on a June rise, was attacked by the In- 
dians, lost one man by drowning, was detained by reason of low water for 
three months at the Falls of the Ohio (Louisville), and for some weeks 
on a bar, now called Walker's bar, above Hurricane Island, reached New 
Orleans and with her cargo was sold profitably, although the flour was 
soured by being stored in the damp hold. The master contracted yellow 
fever, but recovered, and returned home after an absence of fourteen 
months; and, during the following year (1803), superintended the con- 
struction of the brig Ann Jane, 450 tons burden, loaded her with flour and 
whiskey, and sailed her with profit to New York by way of the rivers, 
the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. 

Thus the commerce of the Monongahela flourished until the 
Enterprise, 45 tons, the fourth steamboat produced on western water, 
was built at Brownsville in 1814. The era of steam had begun. 

The Monongahela products were becoming well known. Its flour 
"is celebrated in foreign markets, for its superiority, and it generally sells 
for one dollar more per barrel in New Orleans than any other flour taken 
from this country to that market. The best and greatest quantity of 
rye whiskey is made on this river. Peach and apple brandy, cider and 
cider-royal are also made in great abundance." 

The slack water equipment multiplied commerce enormously. It 
was estimated that during 1837 the loss occasioned to coal alone by the 
ice was at least $40,000. In October of 1838 there was approximately 
750,000 bushels of coal laden on boats which had been waiting three months 
for a shipping stage of water. 



36 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

Under date of January 1st, 1840, Thomas McFadden, wharf master 
of Pittsburgh, gives a statement of the number of arrivals and departures 
of steamboats employed regularly in the Monongahela trade: "In ad- 
dition to which a number of steamboats have occasionally gone to Browns- 
ville, &c, and a large number of flat-boats, loaded with coal, have descended 
the river without stopping at this port." 

Steamers. Tons. Voyages. 

Liberty 83 21 

Franklin 34 65 

Pike 35 34 

Shannon 77 43 Tons. 

Ploughman 38 58 14,196 

Royal 68 29 

Excel 41 13 

Exact 61 3 

Traveler, Ranger, D. Crockett, running constantly and employed in tow- 
ing flats, rafts, &c. 

686 keels and flats loaded with produce 9,482 

1,048 flats loaded with coal, brick, &c, tonnage unknown. 

Total tons 23,678 

During 1845 toll was received to the amount of over $15,000 from 
freights and rafts, etc. ; above $8,000 for passengers of whom almost 
twenty-three thousand were through passengers; and above $5,000 for 
coal, amounting to more than four and one-half millions of bushels. 

This favorable showing was increased during the next year to 
above $20,000 for freights; to above $12,000 for passengers; of whom al- 
most 35,000 were through passengers to or from the east ; to above $10,000 
for coal, amounting to more than seven and one-half millions of bushels. 

Commerce continued to increase. Classified freights continued until 
the tolls in 1852, when the Pennsylvania Railroad reached Pittsburgh, and 
the B. & O. reached Wheeling, amounted to more than $30,000 annually. 
Coal tonnage grew steadily greater until in 1855 it reached the amazing 
total of almost 1,000,000 tons, and fifteen years later to twice that amount, 
this latter rapid increase being due in part to the building in 1856 of two 
locks above Brownsville, which carried the slack water navigation to with- 
in seven miles of the Virginia line. Through passenger traffic reached its 
climax in 1848 with a total for the year of almost forty-eight thousand 
souls. 

To this latter traffic and classified freight the National Road con- 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 37 

tributed largely. For from the time it was thrown open to the public in 
the year 1818 until 1852 it was the one great highway, over which passed 
the bulk of trade and travel, and the mails between the East and the West. 
As many as twenty four-horse coaches have been counted in line at once. 
During the eight years before the coming of the railroads more than two 
hundred thousand passengers traveled over the road by way of the Mon- 
ongahela; also another one hundred thousand traveled between Browns- 
ville and Pittsburgh, and over four hundred and fifty thousand traveled 
part of the way between these two places. William Henry Harrison as 
President-elect of the United States, used this route, and his body was re.- 
turned by the same route. It looked like the leading avenue of a 
great city rather than a road through rural districts. One man in 1848 
counted 133 six-horse teams passing along the road in one day, and took 
no notice of as many more teams of one, two, three, four, and five horses. 
"It looked as if the whole earth was on the road; wagons, stages, horses, 
cattle, hogs, sheep, and turkeys without number." In the year 1822 six 
commission houses in Wheeling received approximately five thousand 
loads of merchandise, and paid nearly $400,000 for its transportation. 
About two-fifths of this passenger and freight traffic after 1844, when 
the slack water improvements reached Brownsville, was directed through 
the Monongahela. 

Of the classified freight in the commerce of the Monongahela, salt 
occupied a large place, as immense quantities were brought from the salt 
works in New York. Whiskey, butter, lard, cheese, flour, oats, sand, ap- 
ples, hoop poles, nails, tobacco, wool, feathers, bacon, pork, staves, brick, 
ginseng, and beeswax were staple articles of commerce. Pittsburgh con- 
tinued to be the distributing point. The Monongahela proved to be a val- 
uable feeder to the State canals. Of the 80,000 barrels of flour, which 
came down it in 1851, more than nine-tenths were reshipped eastward by 
the Pennsylvania canal ; and other items in like manner. 

Braddock's contribution to the commerce on the Monongahela be- 
gan early. On June 12, 1839, Messrs. Corey and Adams, of Braddock, be- 
gan quarrying stone above McKeesport for the construction of Lock and 
Dam Number Two, which was to have been placed at Braddock's lower 
riffle, but by reason of changing the height of the dams to eight feet Lock 
Number Two was eventually located at the head of Braddock's riffles 
above the mouth of Turtle Creek. This Lock was completed by Corey and 
Adams and opened for navigation on October 18, 1841. The tolls 
for the succeeding two months of that year amounted to $1,000 per 



38 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

month. In 1845 the tolls at this Lock amounted to almost $3,500, while in 
1870 they made the amazing total of almost $82,000. In 1893, despite the 
growing competition of the railroads, the tolls exceeded $53,000. 

The operation of the Edgar Thomson Plant of the Carnegie Steel 
Company increased the importance of the Monongahela's commerce to a 
marked extent, although the greatest tonnage was that of coal shipped to 
the southern markets. In the years 1844 to 1872 a little less than 400 
millions of bushels was shipped from Pool Number Two. A better idea can 
be had of this great amount when it is remembered that in one acre of 
coal there is about one hundred thousand bushels. 

One of the best remembered events connected with the history of 
the Locks in the Braddock district was the breakup of the ice pack in Feb- 
ruary, 1867. The engineer of the Navigation Company describes it as 
making a noise like distant thunder, and striking the dam with such force 
as to shake the lock walls and rattle the windows in the houses in the vil- 
lage of Port Perry. 

Of all the workers on Lock Two, the name of one stands 
out clear — Michael Hart. He had been employed in its construction, and 
was continued as a lock tender for more than twenty-five years after- 
wards. He was regarded as the most active and speedy lock-tender on the 
River at that time. The boatmen had a maxim, "We will have a quick 
passage through the lock, old Mike is on watch". 

It is not to be thought that the improvement of navigation in the 
Monongahela was secured by the harmonious co-operation of the Valley, 
or that its practical operation was materially helped by the shippers. "It 
is a remarkable fact," says the engineer, Sylvanus Lothrop, in his report 
to the President of the Company, January 4th, 1847, "that with so many 
unanswerable arguments to recommend it to, and enforce it upon, the 
public attention, no work in the country has ever encountered greater ob- 
stacles than this. Instead of being, as it ought to have been, fostered by 
our citizens, and hailed by the inhabitants of the Monongahela Valley as 
a blessing to themselves, it met with nothing but the most chilling regards 
from the one, and with either the most violent prejudice, or the most de- 
termined hostility from the other." Protests were made against the toll 
charges, and in 1848 the Valley was aflame with the cry that the locks 
sTiould be cut down to a height of four and one-half feet so that in times 
of freshet the boats might float, unhindered by locks, to the Ohio. Much 
difficulty was encountered in securing rapidity of movement through the 
locks. Rival coal crews fought, in the face of definite regulations, for 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 39 

precedence in passing through the locks. The Company early established 
rules, in vain. The State legislature (1851) passed special legislation to 
facilitate passage, and later (1864) made the penalties more severe, yet 
many times the locks for hours at a time were idle while the fighting 
crews blocked the entrance, and the prosperity-carrying Ohio "rise" re- 
ceded below the boating stage. 

When the Monongahela River was about to be bridged at Smith- 
field street in Pittsburg, it was seriously proposed that the bridge be built 
so low that the boats could not pass under, thus necessitating the transfer 
of freights, and a profitable business for longshoremen. 

Out of such strife and from such humble beginnings arose the 
mighty traffic which now yearly sweeps down the Monongahela through 
locks, augmented in number and increased in size, and now owned and 
operated without charge to the traffic, by the United States Government. 
No longer does the Ohio wait upon the "rise" of her tributary from the 
south, but rather is the waiting reversed, until such time as the United 
States shall have done her "perfect work" for "the beautiful river." 



THE MUNICIPALITIES. 

BY J. E. LITTLE, ESQ. 

The Borough of Braddock, Pa., was incorporated by the Court of 
Quarter Sessions of Allegheny County on the 8th day of June, 1867. The 
first set of officers elected comprises the names of men nearly all of whom 
have been prominent in local affairs for many years. The first set of 
officers were: — 

Burgess, Isaac Mills, Sr. 

Council, George Fritz, William Redman, Joseph McCune, William 
McAdams, John Harrison. 

Judge of Elections, Isaac Mills, Jr. 

Inspectors, W. S. Packer, Jesse McCune. 

Assessor, W. A. Holland. 

Auditor, James A. Russell. 

Justices of the Peace, Jas. McCIeery, J. Gibson. 

Constable, Washington McClure. 

The names of the men who have served the borough as burgess 
since its incorporation, with the length of term of each are : — ■ 

*Isaac Mills, Sr..... .......1867, 1868, 1869 

*James Petty 1870 

*George Fritzius 1871 

*Samuel Motheral ...1872, 1873 

*Thomas J. Dowler 1874, 1875, 1876 

*M. G. Corey .1877 

fj. G. Dowler* ...1877 

*Peter Sewald 1878 

*Thomas W. Sharp 1879 

*John M. Frederick .1880, 1881 

* Jesse P. McCune 1882 

*Wm. Sherwin 1883, 1884 

*Isaac Mills, Jr 1885 

*Thomas W. Sharp .1886, 1887, 1888 

H. C. Shallenberger ...1889, 1890 

Jas. A. Russell 1891 

Thos. G. Aten. ..1892 

H. C. Shallenberger 1893, 1894, 1895, 1896 

Peter F. Emmert 1897, 1898, 1899 

*John Brennan 1900, 1901, 1902 

* James Purcell .1903, 1904, 1905 

J. E. Little ..1906, 1907, 1908 

*John Brennan 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913 

Finley K. Whitfield ......1914, 1915, 1916, 1917. 



'Deceased. fFinished term of M. G. Corey. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



41 



The borough authority in 1917 is vested in the following : — 
Burgess, Dr. Finley K. Whitfield. 
Borough Clerk, William P. Conway. 
Superintendent of Public Works, W. H. Williams. 





DR. F. K. WHITFIELD. 
Burgess of Braddock. 



H. B. MILLER. 
Burgess, North Braddock. 





A. P. RODERUS, 
Burgess of Rankin. 



L. F. HOLTZMAN. ESQ. 
resident of Braddock Council. 



Health Officer, Jas. E. Wills. 

Borough Solicitor, George Weil, Esq. 

Council, L. F. Holtzman, Esq., President; W. S. Lowman, Wm. J. 
Dixon, E. D. Nugent, T. L. Howard, Jas. L. Alexander, Jas. A. Morgan, E. 
B. Schafer, Michael Verosky, D. M. Kier, J. W. Milligan, John Shields. 

Chief of Police, Jas J. McCarthy. 

Chief of Fire Department, Thos. K. Martin. 



42 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

List of Burgesses of Rankin Borough from the time of its incorpora- 
tion in 1892 to the present: 

George A. Sloan, appointed June, 1892-March, 1893 

Thos. M. Cain, elected.... -.1 year, March, 1893-March, 1894 

Fogel G. Bishoff, elected 3 years, March, 1894-March, 1897 

Thos. B. Brown, elected 3 years, March, 1897-March, 1900 

Lowrey H. Bishoff, elected.... 3 years, March, 1900-March, 1903 

John S. Donnellan, elected. ....3 years, March, 1903-March, 1906 

Peter J. Traynor, elected. ....3 years, March, 1906-March, 1909 

J. Knox Milligan, elected—. 4 years, March, 1909-Jan'y, 1914 

Albert P. Roderus, elected 4 years, Jan'y, 1914-Jan'y, 1918 

The officers and Council of Rankin for 1917 are: — 

Burgess, A. P. Roderus. 

Borough Clerk, A. J. Argall. 

Borough Engineer, U. G. Duvall. 

Health Officer, Reynolds Johns. 

Borough Solicitor, Jos. F. Mayhugh, Esq. 

Council, J. Knox Milligan, President; C. B. Guttridge, Thos. Kane, 
W. C. Watkins, W. H. Johns, T. B. Brown, George Miller. 

Chief of Police, Emil Mura. 

Chief of Fire Department, Samuel Johns. 

Burgesses of Borough of North Braddock from the time of its in- 
corporation as a borough in 1897 to date: 

Henry L. Anderson, May 24, 1897. Died, March 22, 1899. 

F. K. Leighton, appointed by court and sworn in April 1, 1899. 
Re-elected for full term, March 4th, 1901. 

A. T. Reid, March 4th, 1903. 

George B. Whitfield, March 5th, 1906. 

James A. McWilliams, March 2nd, 1909. Died, May 7th, 1910. 

John F. McCune, appointed by court and sworn in June 6th, 1910, 
and served until July 7th, 1911. 

William V. Hyland, President of Council, served as Acting Burgess 
until the appointment of A. L. Best, November 13th, 1911. 

A. L. Best, served until January, 1914. 

H. B. Miller, January 5th, 1914 to date. 

The borough authority for the year 1917 is vested in the fol- 
lowing: — 

Burgess, H. Blair Miller. 

Borough Clerk, John O. Jones (also acts as Health Officer). 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 43 

Street Commissioner, Sheridan Newton. 

Borough Engineer, George Seifers. 

Borough Solicitor, Jos. F. Mayhugh, Esq. 

Council, Harvey R. Hunter, President; John Phillips, Morgan Har- 
rity, Robert S. Sadler, Dr. B. M. Bartilson, C. R. Baldridge, John Krone, 
Wm, R. Aites, A. Heverly. 

Chief of police, I. N. Hummed. 

The three boroughs represent a large concentration of wealth in 
small space. It is said that one reason for the Pittsburgh desire for ex- 
pansion, is the vast amount of taxable property that would be added to 
the city by the absorption of these and some forty other boroughs. These 
three boroughs have a combined valuation of nearly thirty-two million 
dollars, according to the 1917 duplicate, excluding the assessment on oc- 
cupations, divided as follows : — 

Braddock, $11,668,460.00. 

North Braddock, $13,284,980.00. 

Rankin, $7,074,280.00. 

The number of persons (or corporations) owning real estate is: — 

Braddock, 2,058. 

North Braddock, 2,362. 

Rankin, 622. 

One person in eight owns real estate. 

These figures seem to call for a word of explanation. It may be 
wondered why North Braddock has more assessables and greater valua- 
tion than Braddock. The answer is the same that in the final analysis is 
the active cause of every condition in all municipalities, that is, the physi- 
cal geography of the locality. Braddock occupies the level ground between 
the foot hills and the river. It has the stores, the banks, the offices, in 
fact, is the business center, in addition to a number of industrial plants. 
And it is from these sources that it derives the greater part of its taxable 
values. North Braddock occupies the hill sides, with their summits and 
valleys. It is the residence section. This accounts for the number of 
taxables. This explanation would seem to give Braddock the wealth and 
North Braddock the population. So it would but for the further fact that 
the entire Edgar Thomson steel plant which represents about half of the 
valuation and pays a corresponding proportion of the tax of the upper 
borough, is situated entirely within the corporate limits of North 
Braddock. 

Similar causes give to Rankin, one of the wealthiest boroughs in 



44 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

proportion to area to be found anywhere, its vast wealth as compared with 
the number of taxables. Here are located the enormous Carrie furnaces, 
the Rankin Wire mill, and the McClintick-Marshall plants, as well as 
other works of less magnitude. 

All the wealth and prosperity of the community rests on the steel 
industry. In times of great business activity every person wanting work 
can easily find employment in these mills. And it has been well said that 
steel is the foundation of all industries. Persons who have lived here all 
their lives have little idea of the comparative prosperity of this region. 
True, times of depression have been seen and will come again. Many be- 
lieve it would be well to make a systematic and persistent community ef- 
fort to secure a greater diversity of industries. York, Pa., by the last 
census about the size of Braddock, has three times as many corporations. 
If half of our population depended on the textile manufactures, for in- 
stance, depression in steel would not prostrate our business life as it did in 
the panic of 1907. 

From the foregoing, it is easily deduced that the three boroughs 
are one in everything except the matter of local government. This multi- 
plicity of administrative function has been the occasion at times of more 
or less friction between the several sections of the community. Particu- 
larly was this manifest in the matter of railroad crossings, when, for 
several years the abatement of the death traps was delayed pending united 
action of the separate councils. The subject of sewers is another source 
of controversy that is perennial. North Braddock can get an outlet for 
her sewers only by constructing them through Braddock borough, and who 
is going to meet the expense? This question has been discussed for a 
generation, and while it is being debated, the storms of every season cause 
damage that would go far towards paying for the sewers. 

Duplication of activity is also seen in three sets of borough build- 
ings, three equipments of fire-fighting apparatus, and three sets of bor- 
ough officers. 

Physically, each and all of the boroughs may be said to be well 
equipped. Every street and nearly every alley in Braddock is paved. The 
same is true of Rankin, and North Braddock is almost as well provided. 
Certain sections of all three boroughs have had for years, rigid building 
restrictions, no frame structures being permitted in the crowded localities. 

None of the boroughs has an excessive bonded debt, and the tax- 
rate is not particularly burdensome in any. What bonded debts there are 
have been contracted in payment of valuable properties, the buildings now 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 45 

being worth much more than the value of the outstanding bonds. In the 
case of Braddock, the water works alone could be sold for enough to reduce 
the bonded indebtedness to an insignificant amount. 

Immediately prior to the Civil War, the Pittsburgh and Connells- 
ville Railroad, which had been built from Connellsville to Port Perry, was 
extended through the Borough of Braddock to Pittsburgh. The right of 
way was given, therefor, by Isaac Mills, extending from Sixth Street to 
the West End of the Borough line. The railroad took possession of Halket 
Street from Ninth Street to Thirteenth Street, without authority from 
anyone. Halket at that time was the principal street of the town. For 
some years Ninth Street was the principal business street. Eventually 
business located on Braddock Avenue. The business center of the town, 
like the course of Empire, has moved steadily westward, along Braddock 
Avenue. 

Since the early seventies (when the steel works were constructed), 
the town has steadily grown, both in population and in wealth. Most of 
the working forces were brought here by Captain W. R. Jones. They 
were young men, away from home, without family ties, and many of 
them recently discharged from the army, in whom, the four years in the 
war, had bred a spirit impatient of restraint. 

With this element, and every other house on Braddock Avenue a 
saloon, running full blast twenty-four hours in the day, Braddock had 
much the aspect of a Western Mining Camp. Women seldom went on 
Braddock Avenue on Saturday nights. Street fighting seemed to be a 
favorite and universal diversion. The Borough minutes show that J. Alex 
Speedy was elected Chief of Police in 1880. It was also his duty to "fill, 
clean, and light the street lamps". He was a brave, courageous man. He 
attempted to stop street fighting on Braddock Avenue, and he, more than 
any ten men, vindicated the right of the municipality, to have the Bor- 
ough free from street fighting. With fist or mace, he subdued the dis- 
orderly, and was a good rough and tumble fighter. 

In the early days council met at the residences of the various mem- 
bers and occasionally in the school house. For many years the Burgess 
presided at the meetings of council. 

Subsequently a municipal building was erected opposite the site of 
the present municipal building. One of the municipal officers chosen at 
the first election, was James A. Russell, Borough Auditor. So far as I 
know he is the only surviving member of the first set of officers elected. 

In 1885 the Water Works were erected. W. H. Williams, the first 



46 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

engineer of the Water Works, is now the Superintendent of Public Works. 
The first sewers were constructed on Eighth and Ninth Streets. At the 
time of the incorporation of the Borough, Braddock Avenue was a plank 
road and was first paved with cobblestones in 1883. At that time (in 
1883) L. F. Holtzman was a member of council. He has served almost 
continuously since in that body. 

In addition to serving as member of council for many years, a 
great part of the time acting as president of that body, Mr. Holtzman has, 
during an almost coincident period, held the office of Justice of the Peace. 
In this capacity he has distinguished himself for his good judgment and 
fairness. It is so common as almost to amount to a scandal, that in many 
petty courts, judgment is almost invariably rendered in favor of the 
plaintiff, the thought seeming to lie back of the decision, that this course 
produces business. Not so with Squire Holtzman. He listens to a case 
patiently and renders judgment according to law and evidence. Indeed, 
in many instances he induces parties to settle the matter in dispute out 
of court. Again, he will, by writing a letter to the offender, secure an 
abatement of the evil complained of before it reaches the critical stage. 

In North Braddock for many years was a man, the counterpart of 
Mr. Holtzman in many respects, in the person of Mr. Fred W. Edwards, 
or "Freddie", or "Little Fred", as he was affectionately called. Justice 
of the Peace and Councilman, he early became identified with county poli- 
tics, serving several terms in various county offices, and recognized 
throughout the state as one of the forceful political leaders. Overwork in 
the interests of his friends cut him off in the midst of his usefulness. 

Rankin, too, has had its own record of local politics. Indeed it has 
been said that "Rankin has more politics to the square foot than Chicago 
has". In Rankin's case it seems, to an outsider, to be for the pure joy of 
battle; for, while the courts have frequently been called upon to decide 
who was the duly elected councilman, or school director, or constable, no 
such criminal scandals and criminal prosecutions as have disgraced many 
cities and counties and even states, have ever been brought out in con- 
nection with Rankin elections. Men who have been active in Rankin affairs 
for many years for the pure love of the game are J. Knox Milligan, C. B. 
Guttridge, Gideon H. Jaquay, Esq., Chas. J. Carr, Esq., Jerry Lutz, A. 
P. Roderus, Ignatz Horr, Esq., J. S. Donnellan, Esq. The Colored Repub- 
lican Club and the Italian McKinley Club, each of which votes as a unit in 
local affairs, add considerably to the complications at election time. 

In all these boroughs, party politics is entirely overlooked, the ques- 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 47 

tion of alignment depending on the local problem that demands present 
consideration. The amusing part of it, to an onlooker, is, that the local 
leaders do not work together for any number of successive campaigns, 
and the men who are standing side by side this year may be in opposite 
camps at the next election. 

A political factor that should be mentioned in this connection is 
Hon. Melville Clyde Kelly, though his activities have been State and Na- 
tional, rather than local. First elected to the state legislature at the age of 
26 as the champion of local option, he put up a magnificent fight in that 
body for a losing cause. Not only did Mr. Kelly take the side of local op- 
tion, but he was always found working by voice and vote, in season and 
out, for every legislative enactment that he believed to be right, regard- 
less of what interests might be favored or injured; and the powers that 
be always found in him a force that had to be reckoned with. 

The next election found Mr. Kelly contending with Hon. John 
Dalzell for the seat in the National Congress, which the latter had held for 
twenty-six years, where he was known as the champion of high tariff. 
Mr. Kelly was elected and to congress he carried the same fearless prin- 
ciples he had exhibited at Harrisburg. When the Sixty-fourth Congress 
was chosen, Mr. Kelly was elected to stay at home. That seemed to make 
no difference to him, and like the good loser that he was, by voice and pen 
he kept on delivering sledge hammer blows against evils and corruption 
wherever manifest. 

In the campaign of 1916 Mr. Kelly was again candidate for con- 
gress against Hon. Wm. H. Coleman, who had defeated him in 1914. This 
time Mr. Kelly was elected and he is now serving his district and his Na- 
tion in the momentous events that are working out in these strenuous 
times of conflict. 



PORT PERRY AND TURTLE CREEK. 



BY WM. S. HEATH. 



INTRODUCTORY 



At first glance, the reader will wonder why the history of Port 
Perry and Turtle Creek should be incorporated in this work, and why it 
in any way would be associated with the Fiftieth Anniversary of Braddock ; 
but in the perusal of the same, one will find that a history of Braddock 
would be incomplete unless this chapter were included, as both Port Perry 
and Turtle Creek are closely allied with, and associated in, the making of 
Braddock ; so many of the former citizens of Port Perry now being Brad- 
dock residents. 

It is a strange coincidence that Mr. George H. Lamb, Chairman 
of the Historical Committee, would select the undersigned for this im- 
portant task, I only having been a resident of this vicinity since 1898, 
and it naturally would seem to be the proper course to select a resident of 
each of these places to write the facts, or near facts, concerning their his- 
tory. Yet, the selection of myself to do this work, seems not inappropriate 
for the following reasons: 

I was born in the Monongahela Valley, this county, as was also my 
father, Samuel J. Heath, my grand-father, Captain Samuel Heath, and 
my great grand-father, Robert Heath, who was the son of Samuel Heath, 
who acquired two tracts of lands from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 
called "Battletown" and "The Dart". These papers I have in my possession. 
My great grand-father's brother, Samuel Heath, Jr., was born in Old Fort 
Pitt, (where the Indians had chased his father's family), on August 
1st, 1773, and on the day he was twenty-one years of age, August 1st, 
1794, he was with the crowd who mustered in Braddock's Field in the 
Whiskey Insurrection. My great great grand-fathers farm, (a portion 
of which we yet own), was near Monongahela City and Mingo Creek 
and Church, the very center of the Whiskey Rebellion. 

I am indebted for much of my information in compiling these 
chapters, to the History of Allegheny County, as published by A. Warner 
& Company in 1889, and the Memoir and Recollections of J. B. Corey, 
our much esteemed fellow citizen, and to many kind friends, who have 
been unstinted in their efforts to aid me. 



50 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

PORT PERRY. 

Versailles Township was one of the original seven townships into 
which the County of Allegheny was divided and it extended from the 
mouth of Turtle Creek along the Northerly side of the Monongahela River 
up to the mouth of the Youghiogheny River and thence up the Yough- 
iogheny River to Crawford's Run ; Thence by the line of the County to the 
mouth of Brush Creek ; thence down Turtle Creek to the mouth. The 
immediate cause of the division of Versailles Township was the growth 
of the two villages of Port Perry and Coultersville, at the opposite extremes 
of its territory, and in September 1869 by decree of Court, the Townships 
of North and South Versailles were erected out of Versailles Township. 
Later, viz: July 3, 1875, by decree of Court, the second precinct of South 
Versailles was erected into the Township of Versailles. 

Port Perry is situated at the mouth of Turtle Creek in North 
Versailles Township on the Monongahela River. It was originally known 
as Pieriestown, so called after a man named Pieries who owned the land 
there, and laid out the first plan of lots. Colonel Miller afterwards bought 
the Pieries holdings and the Fritchman farm and laid out a new plan of 
the same place. The name was, in 1850, changed to Port Perry. I note 
(J. B. Corey's Memoir) that in 1840 there were eight families in the vil- 
lage of Pieriestown. One history states that while it is a comparatively 
old town, its appearance has not improved with age and 
truly as has been well said by George H. Lamb, Librarian at 
Braddock, Pa., Port Perry is a victim of prosperity. Towns usually 
improve with age, but Port Perry as a town has been practically obliter- 
ated by the growth of great industries as the years have gone by. In 
J. B. Corey's Memoir we find that his father brought his family to Port 
Perry on the occasion of having secured, in company with his brother, 
the contract to erect the lock and dam known as No. 2, for the Mon- 
ongahela Navigation Company, J. K. Moorehead being president of the 
Company. The work on the dam was started in the year 1840. J. B. 
Corey was then about eight years old. At the present time he is nearly 
eleven times that age and in comparatively good health. I saw him on 
the streets of Braddock as this was being written, greeting old and new 
acquaintances with a vim that was surprising in one of his great age. 

The location of the Town at the mouth of Turtle Creek and on the 
Monongahela River seems to be the natural one, and in the year 1840 Port 
Perry was a town composed of eight families, as above stated, and the 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 51 

site of the present town of Braddock was covered with its original forest ; 
and while Braddock to-day looks down upon Port Perry with irony, yet 
the demolition of Port Perry helped to make Braddock and vicinity. 

Of the business carried on in Port Perry prior to 1840, not much 
can be learned but that of mining coal. One of the first coal mines 
was located at Port Perry, the coal being floated down the river in flat 
boats. Coal mines along the river began to flourish after the building of 
No. 2 lock and dam, and navigation was brisk, when the river was navi- 
gable. The Monongahela river was first navigated by steam in 1825, 
and then only when the river was high. A boat store was located in 
Port Perry, where they used to furnish supplies to the boats and it be- 
came a favorite Post Office for the rivermen to get their mail. Some of 
the packets that used to navigate the river here, were the Luzerne, Col- 
onel Bayard, Elector, Chieftain, Elisha Bennett, Fayette, Albert Gallatin, 
W. J. Snowden, Elizabeth, Germania, Geneva, James G. Blaine and James 
F. Woodward, the fastest of all these being the Elizabeth. They were 
all side wheel steamers except the Snowden and it was a stern wheel boat 
and was too large to operate in the swift currents of high water. The boat 
Tom Schriver operated between Pittsburgh and West Newton on the 
Youghiogheny River. Transportation by way of these boats was heavy 
both in passengers and freight and many of the early citizens of Port 
Perry followed the river in one capacity or another. 

A Post Office was established in Port Perry in 1850 and this was the 
occasion of the change in the name from Pieriestown to Port Perry. The 
first Postmaster was John McCloskey appointed by President Polk. He 
served until 1861 when John Craig, brother-in-law of George T. Miller 
was appointed by President Lincoln. Craig died in 1864 and John Rus- 
sell, brother of James A. Russell of Braddock, was appointed to take his 
place. He served until 1868, and was followed by Jackson Young 1868- 
1885 when J. K. Wood was appointed Postmaster by Grover Cleveland. 
J. L. Porter was appointed by President Harrison in 1889. He served 
until the inauguration of President Cleveland for his second term ; Mrs. 
C. McCue was then appointed and served until President McKinley was 
inaugurated in 1897 when Samuel Davidson was named Postmaster, who 
served until January 1902 when P. Stucki was appointed Postmaster by 
President Roosevelt. At his decease his daughter Mrs. M. C. Toner was 
made Postmistress April 20th, 1903, and is still serving her country in that 
capacity. P. Stucki, the father of Mrs. M. C. Toner emigrated from Swit- 



52 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

zerland to the United States in 1857 settling in Port Perry, and it is stated 
that for forty-one continuous years their home was never vacant at night. 
The first church in Port Perry — the Methodist Episcopal, to the 
best information obtainable, was built about the year 1848, and seems to 
have had its beginning from a Sabbath School that was started by Mrs. 
Corey, the mother of J. B. Corey. It seems that Mrs. Corey builded bet- 
ter than she knew for many citizens have told me that the little brick 
church was the scene of all their entertainments and gatherings and helped 
to make Port Perry for them the garden spot of the world. The Pitts- 
burgh and Connellsville Railroad which passes through Port Perry was 
opened in 1857 and at that time the road only extended to Port Perry and 
the trains went up around to Brinton and thence to Pittsburgh over the 
tracks of the Pennsylvania Railroad. The line of the Pittsburgh and 
Connellsville Railroad was extended from Port Perry to Pittsburgh in 
1861 and was built by William J. Morrison. This road is now owned and 
operated by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company. The Pittsburgh, 
McKeesport and Youghiogheny Railroad now operated by the Pittsburgh 
and Lake Erie Railroad was opened in 1883. The main line of the Penn- 
sylvania Railroad is connected with the Monongahela division of the same 
road by a bridge across the river at Port Perry. It passes over the town 
from the mouth of the tunnel. This tunnel has now been done away with. 
The Union Railroad also by a bridge connects the Edgar Thomson Steel 
Works with the Duquesne and Homestead Steel Works. It is claimed and 
no doubt it is true that the heaviest tonnage in the world passes through 
Port Perry, and the encroachments of the railroads with their tracks and 
yards have all but annihilated the town. James A. Russell who came 
to Braddock in 1862 says that at that time, Port Perry was larger than 
Braddock, and people went from Braddock to Port Perry, to buy their 
groceries, etc. The McCloskey Coal Works were then located in the up- 
per end of Port Perry and the same were operated by John McCloskey who 
was the father of Mrs. Timothy E. Kenney of Holland Avenue, Braddock, 
Pa. Col. Wm. L. Miller was the big man of Port Perry and owned the 
store which supplied the steamboats, and was called the boat store. 
George T. Miller operated the saw-mill, and at the time of the Civil War 
1861-1865 Miller made about two million gun stocks at this mill. He also 
had extensive boat yards and used the saw-mill for that purpose, and also 
for reducing logs into building material. About fifty per cent of all coal 
boats on the Monongahela River were built in these docks. Car shops 
for building Railroad cars were in operation for some few years, also a 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 53 

pump shop for making wood pumps, for use on coal boats did a good bus- 
iness. A cooper shop producing barrels had an extensive trade as well 
as did the stone quarries on the hill side near the town. Abraham Moore, 
father-in-law of Thomas George, opened the first quarry for the purpose 
of filling in the first dam with stone. 

John King operated a blacksmith shop. The lock master at No. 
2 dam and locks always resided in the town of Port Perry. The first lock 
master was John Derrickson, who served from 1849 to 1856. The next lock 
master was Captain B. L. Wood, 1856 until his death in 1872, when he 
was succeeded by his son Charles W. Wood. During the administration 
of the latter the locks and dams were sold to the Unit-ad States Government. 
C. W. Wood was succeeded by Edward Finnin a brother of John T. Finnin, 
note-teller in the First National Bank of Braddock, Pa. Ha in turn was 
succeeded by James A. Sweeney, and he by the present lock maste; Robert 
McGreevey. The first physicians, were Doctor Snodgrass and Doctor Oliver. 

Mr. A. P. Aiken who resides in Mills Ave., Braddock, Pa. states 
that in the early sixties the population of Port Perry was about thirty- 
five hundred people. It will require a little thought on our part at the 
present time to believe this possible, but Mr. Aiken's word is as good as 
his bond and the facts of his statement were by me confirmed, from other 
old residents. Mr. Aiken also states that there were thirteen saloons 
which did a flourishing business in the town. That the mud at the upper 
end of the town was black, at the lower end yellow, and at Hamburg a 
little settlement near the border of Port Perry it was red; the color 
of the mud on a man's shoes denoting where he got his whiskey. 

Walter R. Collins, an old resident of Port Perry, now residing in 
Braddock and a member of the Grand Army of The Republic, moved to 
Port Perry in 1867, it being the time that about fifty feet in the center 
of the old dam had broken out. He was employed in rebuilding the dam, 
under Squire Richard Harrison. They completed the work that summer 
and then he opened a bakery business in Port Perry, he therefore being 
the first baker in this community. Madge Struble was ticket agent for the 
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and as an assistant she had Wilson Marks, 
a man well known to many in this district. She afterwards married Wil- 
son Marks. Mr. Marks's father Philip was employed as watchman at the 
old Port Perry trestle. One of Mr. Collins's friends who resided in Port 
Perry was Thomas J. Lewis afterwards Justice of the Peace in Braddock, 
and the father of Frank E. Lewis, employed in newspaper work in Brad- 
dock. The Lewis home in Port Periy was sold to the Pennsylvania Rail- 



54 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

road Company while they were putting the tunnel through Miller's hill 
in order to connect with their main line in Brinton. The assistant en- 
gineer or superintendent of this work was Charles M. Schwab now of 
the Bethlehem Steel Company. A coping stone on the face of the tunnel 
slipped and crushed to death, the foreman, a Mr. Miller. His widow is still 
living in Braddock. Mr. Collins's father-in-law, Gilbert Stephens, and 
his brother Richard Stephens, were boat builders of Elizabeth, Pa. and 
built the boat and rowed it conveying General La Fayette from Elizabeth 
to Braddock, May 28th, 1825. This is the occasion on which General La 
Fayette stopped at the Kirkpatrick Mansion at the corner of Bell and 
Jones Avenues, North Braddock, Pa. Samuel L. Heath a son of Samuel 
Heath who was born in Fort Pitt, August 1st, 1773 was a member of the 
"Jefferson Guards" and helped to receive LaFayette and shook hands 
with him on the occasion of his visit to this part of our country. 

Captain B. L. Wood, the father of Chas. W. Wood and Wm. P. 
Wood of Pittsburgh, and Mrs. Ada R. Preusse of 308 Holland Ave., Brad- 
dock, was superintendent of Lock No. 2, and we note a clipping from a 
Pittsburgh, Pa. newspaper dated Monday, August 20, 1888 at which time 
it seems that the Monongahela Navigation Company had refused to open 
the locks on Sunday for the proposed Sunday Excursion of August 19, 
1888, of the County Democracy, in honor of Congressional Guests, which 
recalled an incident occurring at Port Perry Locks, some years ago, when 
the late B. L. Wood was superintendent. The rule then as in 1888 was, 
that the locks should be kept closed on Sunday, except for the passage of 
mail-boats or during a coal boat rise. Captain Wood it seems enforced 
the rule at lock No. 2 to the letter, and his inflexibility was so well 
known to captains and others employed on boats plying the river that 
while they might succeed in passing through Lock No. 1 at Soho, they al- 
ways managed to tie up at No. 2. On the occasion referred to, the Cap- 
tain of a tow boat with a tow of empty barges made a boast when passing 
through No. 1, that he would get through Port Perry all right. He was 
known as a man of determined manner, and as he had one equally de- 
termined to deal with, the Navigation officials told him it was of no use 
to make the attempt. The boat reached the lock early on Sunday morn- 
ing and as the office was closed the captain sent word to the Superintendent 
that he had a tow of empties and desired to go through. A reply was 
sent that the lock would not be open until twelve o'clock Sunday night. 
The boat Captain was not to be rebuffed, and he sent word to the Super- 
intendent that he would like to see him. When the Superintendent ap- 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 55 

peared the Captain said in his blandest manner; "Captain I have an emer- 
gency trip to-day and would like to get up the river." "You know the rule 
in foi'ce here." said Captain Wood. "You know too that it is one that 
I never violate; I cannot make any exception in your case and will not." 
"All right then." said the steam boat Captain, whose anger was at fever 
heat, "I'll make things pleasant for you during the day, if I am compelled 
to stay." The steam boat Captain then secured his tow of barges and 
ran his boat into the open lock chamber, preparatory to opening up hos- 
tilities. He directed the engineer to keep a full supply of steam and then 
attempted to hold another conference but failed. The Superintendent's 
house was located just across the street, and when the second effort failed 
the tow boat Captain pulled the steam whistle wide open and gave a few 
premonitory blasts, as a sample of the plan of warfare he had mapped out. 
As it was not heeded, his whistle was again turned on and then from nine 
o'clock Sunday morning until between twelve and one o'clock on Monday 
morning there was not a moment's cessation. The shrieks were varied 
with all the ingenuity that the steam boat man could devise, to increase 
the annoyance. One second there would be an ear splitting shriek, at 
another time a wail would be sounded that seemed to emanate from the 
lost ones in the lower regions. As hour after hour passed there was not 
the slightest show of annoyance on the part of the Superintendent, while 
the steam boat man raved up and down the wall anathematizing the Navi- 
gation Company and the Superintendent in particular. He sent a mes- 
senger to the city to get an order but the messenger returned with the 
information that the direction of the Superintendent must be obeyed. The 
novel contest attracted people from Braddock and vicinity and throughout 
the day crowds were going to and from the scene. The noise was simply 
terrible but the Sunday rule was not violated, and the steam-boatman 
swore that he had never met such a stubborn man. Some residents of 
Port Perry threatened to prosecute the boat Captain but the next day he 
looked so crestfallen that the threats were not carried into execution. We 
presume that there are residents in this vicinity who will recall the 
day. 

Henry C. Shallenberger, president of the State Bank of Braddock, 
operated a store for W. H. Brown & Sons for about ten years, and the 
last year that he was there, sold about §50,000 worth of groceries, etc. 
He received as his salary $125 a month, and was sent by the Browns to 
a point above Brownsville to manage a store at that place. Mr. Shallen- 
berger, however, after being a year at Brownsville, resigned his position, 



56 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

accepting a position in the First National Bank of Braddock at $70 per 
month, having told Mr. Harry Brown that it was worth $250 a month to 
have to live at the place above Brownsville. 

An incident is recalled in the career of W. J. Dixon, who was born 
in Port Perry and is now one of the Honorable Councilmen of Braddock. 
During his first campaign for office they twitted him of not being a 
citizen, he having been born across the water. The Pennsylvania Water 
Company maintained a pumping station for quite a number of years with 
Mr. M. B. Scott as the man in charge. Mr. Scott has served in this 
capacity for about twenty-six years. The pumping station has been sold 
to the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad and they now are demolishing the 
same. It will soon be but a memory. Mr. Thomas George, who went 
to Port Perry in 1852 is still living there and is now nearly eighty-seven 
years of age. He is hale and hearty and his memory is keen, and his 
recollections of the early citizens of Port Perry are interesting and some 
times very amusing. Mr. George states that everybody that came to 
Port Perry went out rich and I immediately commenced to look for a 
house to rent but could not find one. Mr. George has three children living, 
Mrs. Elizabeth Kerr, Miles George and Mr. John George, now living at 
535 Talbot Avenue, Braddock, Pa. Other well known citizens who have 
been connected with the history of Port Perry are the following: Jacob 
Mangus, who was the Captain of the steamboat, Enterprise; Thos. Moore, 
John Jenkner, Patrick McGreevy, George Brenneman, John Shields, now 
Councilman in Braddock, Patrick McLaughlin, Daniel Simms and John 
Simms, Sledge McMichaels, Charles Loughrey, Samuel Hart, Patrick Pur- 
cell, who was the father of the late James Purcell, a former Burgess of 
Braddock, Elisha Pancoast, a renowned gun maker, George Nimon, David 
F. Cooper, Phillip Sharah, now of San Jose, Cal., the father of William H. 
and Edward M. Sharah, Samuel C. Wilkinson, A. P. Aiken, Dr. Maggini, 
father of B. A. and Robert Maggini, and also Timothy Gallagher, who 
came to Port Perry, August 18, 1854, and whose daughter Mary, now the 
wife of Ezra Davis, lives on Hawkins Avenue, North Braddock, Pa., 
William Finnin, J. N. Elrod, whose widow still lives in Port Perry, William 
M. King, who died June 18, 1917, Patrick Cain, Matthew Melvin, whose 
widow Sarah, is about seventy years of age and still living there; William 
Fritzius, (the father of George B. Fritzius), George Fritzius, and Jordan 
Fritzius the father of Oliver B. Fritzius, of Homestead, Pa., and Adaline 
Corey, the mother of Ellis Corey, the Steel man; James Dickson, the 
father of William Dickson and one of the first men from Port Perry to 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 57 

answer President Lincoln's call for troops in 1861 ; James Alexander, 
Peter Kidd, William Franey, and M. J. Ward, proprietor of the Old Jef- 
ferson House for years, John Noey, John Loew, who was pit boss for the 
McCloskey Coal Co., and father of Mrs. Joseph Striebich, John A. Loew and 
Mrs. Joseph L. Mayer; William H. Bishoff, the father of Fogal G. and 
Lowery H. Bishoff, Squire Joseph McCloskey, who is a distant relative 
of John Mc Closkey the coal man. Squire McCloskey says that he well 
remembers the steamboats unloading- freight at Port Perry, which among 
other things consisted of large hogsheads of sugar and molasses, which 
came direct from New Orleans. He also remembers very well the day 
the steamboat did the whistling in the lock as spoken of earlier in this 
narrative. I also note the fact that William Mayhugh, who resides in 
Forward Township and is the father of Joseph F. Mayhugh, the attorney 
at law of North Braddock, Pa., formerly lived in Ohio, and shipped lumber 
from Long Bottom, Meigs County, Ohio, to the McCloskey Coal Works at 
Port Perry. 

Port Perry, does not have a saloon within its border at the present 
time, nor has it had one for the past two years, although it is stated that 
in the early days, there were quite a few saloons in and about Port Perry, 
and the whiskey drunk was full proof of their existence. In politics the 
town was Democratic, and in jest it has been said that the tally sheets 
were made out before the polls were closed. However, while the town has 
been much maligned, and the butt of many a rude jest, yet some of our 
staunchest citizens first saw the light of day in this place. 

Oh ! Port Perry thou ancient one 

By the Riverside so bright, 
All thy great acts basely undone 

By Jacob taking Esau's right. 



58 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

TURTLE CREEK. 

In the first session of the Court of Quarter Sessions of Allegheny 
County, on December 16th, 1788, Justice George Wallace presiding, the 
County of Allegheny was divided into seven Townships, the most important 
of which was Pitt Township, and included within its confines part of the 
present Borough of Turtle Creek. 

Pittsburgh became a City in 1816, and five years later, 1821, Pitt 
Township was in part decreased by the forming of Wilkins Township, tak- 
ing up to Brush Creek, now called Thompson Run. The part of Turtle 
Creek lying on the Easterly side of Thompson Run was included in Plum 
Township, whcih was one of those irregularly organized Townships on the 
Eastern border of the County. An attempt to create Patton Township 
out of a portion of Plum Township was made in April 1807. In 1808 a 
counter petition was filed representing that the Township was only eight 
or ten miles long and from three to five miles in breadth. At an election 
held, it was reported that a division at that time was improper and un- 
necessary, and for nearly forty years thereafter the question was not 
agitated. At the March Term 1847, a petition was referred to the cus- 
tomary number of viewers who failed to give the matter any consideration. 
A second petition was filed at the June Term, representing the Township 
as being thirteen miles long and six miles wide, that there was not that 
identity of interest which should exist among the people of the same Town- 
ship, and praying the Court to appoint a second commission for its divi- 
sion. August 26, 1848, R. E. McGowen, N. Patterson and G. W. Hawkins, 
were appointed for that service. A favorable report was filed November 
4, 1848, and on March 4th, 1849, by a decree of court Plum Township was 
divided. The Southerly part of Plum Township received the name of 
Patton Township. History states that this part of the County was 
popularly known at an early period by no other name than Turtle Creek, 
and that its settlement occured at a comparatively early date. Between 
1765 and 1785 the following were settlers in Patton Township: William 
McElroy, William and Robert Johnson, Christopher Striker, Joseph Mc- 
Clintock, who was the grand-father of John C. McClintock now living in 
Turtle Creek, Robert Beatty, whose descendents are still living in Patton 
Township, Robert Clugston and William Clugston, the Clugston Post Office 
being named after this family; also Sarah C. Clugston is of this same 
family of Clugstons, and was the wife of John C. McClintock above named. 
The first family is supposed to have been Mrs. Martha Myers who got 
one of the old patents for a tract of land called "The Widow's Dower". 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 59 

In Washington's Journal of his tour of November 23, 1770, the following 
appears: "After settling with the Indians and the people that attended 
me down the river and defraying sundry expenses accruing at Pittsburg, 
I set off on my return home, and after dining at the Widow Mier's on Tur- 
tle Creek, reached Mr. John Stephenson in the night." This tract of land 
called "The Widow's Dower" took in a portion of the premises now owned 
by A. 0. Tinstman, at present occupied by C. P. M. Tinstman and John 
M. Larimer. The First U. P. Church of Turtle Creek is also on a portion of 
the tract. The Widow Myer's house where General Washington stopped, was 
located at the corner of Sycamore Street and Monroeville Road on the 
John M. Larimer lot. 

The Widow Myer's Hotel, or Tavern, as it was called in those days, 
was the first stage stop out of Pittsburgh. These stops were located 
along the road from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia at various places, pre- 
sumably at about fifteen mile stations. It was customary to change the 
teams consisting of from four to six horses at these stations. These 
stages would make from four to six miles an hour, including stops. This 
was a little better than what the old pedestrians used to make. (The 
writer has heard his mother's uncle, who was in the cattle business in 
the early days and bought up cattle through the Western part of Penn- 
sylvania, the Northern part of West Virginia and the Eastern part of Ohio, 
state that on numerous occasions they would, while looking for cattle, 
walk a mile in fifteen minutes, or four miles an hour. They would keep 
this pace up for four, five and six hours at a time.) The time consumed 
in journeying from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, or vice-versa was naturally 
much greater than at the present, with railroad trains running from sixty 
to seventy miles an hour, and automobiles making the trip from Pitts- 
burgh to Philadelphia in twelve hours. 

Turtle Creek Borough is situated on the opposite side of the Creek 
from the Station of that name on the Pennsylvania Railroad. Turtle 
Creek was the terminus of a Coal Road leading up Thompson Run and this 
Coal Road, called the Allegheny River Railroad, now belongs to the West- 
inghouse interests and connects their industries with the Union Railroad. 
The Town itself came into existence after the construction of the Greens- 
burg Turnpike. This was also the first Post Office in this section of the 
County. The Borough of Turtle Creek was incorporated in 1892 and the 
first meeting of Council was held September 12, 1892, the first Burgess 
being W. H. Semmens, the present State Senator, who was also a member 
and president of the first Council. The first Secretary was John A. Clug- 



60 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

ston, with the following members of Council: Charles R. Church, Peter 
Double, Dr. W. L. Hunter, W. J. Smith and R. G. Zischkau. The present 
Burgess is R. G. Reid; the present Borough Secretary is Joseph J. Schmidt, 
and the present members of council are VV. H. Kenyon, president; A. P. 
McMullen, W. C. Jones, J. D. Henderson, J. M. Skelton, S. J. Black, E. A. 
Dias, Thos. Cole and Philip Jones. The First School Board of Turtle 
Creek was organized on September 16, 1892. The directors were P. W. 
Boli, president; John T. C. Bowman, secretary; J. C. Hunter, J. C. Miller, 
J. C. Mates and Harry Church. The present members of the School Board 
are S. M. Cunningham, president; E. R. Smith, secretary; Robert R. Pat- 
terson, M. D., H. M. Cunningham and Charles R. Trevaskis. The Principal 
is Prof. W. A. Rodgers. They employ thirty regular Teachers and four 
Special Teachers. The enrollment ai this time i; eleven hundred fifty- 
seven (1,157) pupils. 

In the year 1898, the School Boards of the Boroughs of Wilmerding, 
Turtle Creek and East Pittsburgh organized the Union High School, 
having previously been instrumental in having passed in the State Legis- 
lature a special law authorizing separate districts to establish and main- 
tain joint high schools. The School therefore was organized and started 
in October 1898, with an enrollment of thirty-three (33) pupils. 

The first class graduated was the Class of 1901, with an enrollment 
of 18 pupils. In all 440 pupils have been graduated from the school to date. 

During the present year, 402 different pupils have attended the 
school. The 1917 graduating class consisted of 42 members. This is a 
recognized first-class, high school maintaining two courses of study, 
the regular academic preparatory course and the commercial course, each 
of four years. The school is supported on a pro rata basis according to the 
number of pupils attending from each respective district. At present the 
enrollment includes pupils from the districts of Wilmerding, Turtle Creek 
and East Pittsburgh, Wall, Pattern, Wilkins, Braddock, Penn. Plum. North 
Versaille-;, Trafford, Chalfant, Franklin, Westmoreland, Export Boro, and 
two special pupils. The school has grown so rapidly that it is compelled 
to work on a double schedule until the completion of the new $200,000.00 
building now under construction. The faculty consists of fourteen in- 
structors at the present including the manual training and domestic science 
and arts departments. The principal of the school for several years and at 
present is Herman W. Goodwin. The school is doing a work hardly to be 
over-estimated, and a notable feature is the large proportion of boys to 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 61 

girls going through the school to graduation. The present graduating 
class consists of 24 boys and 18 girls. 

Among the churches are the United Presbyterian Church, organized 
in June 1820, by Rev. Joseph Brown. The present pastor is Rev. Frank 
G. Findley, with a membership of about 250; the Presbyterian Church 
was organized in 1867 by Rev. Dr. Wightman, with a membership of about 
50. The present pastor is Rev. Grant E. Fisher, with a membership of 
about 450. The McMasters Methodist Episcopal Church was organized 
February 1872, with Rev. Dr. Slease as the first minister. The present 
pastor is Rev. Dr. W. C. Weaver, the membership is about 600; St. Cole- 
man's Roman Catholic Church was organized September 1882. The first 
pastor was Rev. Thos. Neville. The present pastor is Rt. Rev. Monsignor 
W. A. Cunningham and his assistants are Rev. J. P. Shields and Rev. 
N. J. Vitale. They have about 550 families, representing about 3,000 
members. Other churches are the First Baptist Church, present Pastor, 
C. W. Townsend; the Christian Church; Lutheran Church; Alpha Re- 
formed Church and the First Methodist Protestant Church, being a split 
of the McMaster M. E. Church. 

The population of the Borough of Turtle Creek at this time is 7,000. 
A large portion of the present works of the Westinghouse Electric & 
Manufacturing Company and the Westinghouse Machine Company are 
located within the limits of this Borough and most of the citizens are en- 
gaged in some capacity or other at this great plant, which at the present 
time employs about 25,000 people. 

The Union Railroad is one of the interests of the United States 
Steel Corporation and runs through a portion of this town and makes con- 
nection with the Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad. 

The Banks are the First National Bank and Turtle Creek Savings 
& Trust Company. 

The first coal shipped by rail to Pittsburgh was mined and shipped 
by Dickson and Stewart, from their mine called "Oak Hill Mines " located 
opposite the present site of the East Pittsburgh Station on the Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad. The coal was known as the finest and best gas coal in 
this region, and was purchased by the Philadelphia Gas Company, and was 
used in making artificial gas, which was in extensive use before the dis- 
covery of natural gas. Oil and gas interests are sinking quite a number 
of gas wells in this vicinity, but as yet have not struck the center of the 
gas. 

The Hon. J. C. Haymaker, at present one of Judges of the Common 



62 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

Pleas Court of Allegheny County, was born in Patton Township on the 
Simpson Farm, his mother's father's place. The farm is at present 
owned by Judge Haymaker. The Judge's father and mother, with their 
family also lived in Turtle Creek. It seems that his Honor, Judge Hay- 
maker, loves the chase ; and many are the tales told of the fun they used 
to have in chasing "Sly Reynard" around the hills. Squire J. C. Mc- 
Clintock, Stewart Tillbroke and Judge Haymaker all had fox hounds and 
coon-dogs and hunted over "Riche's Hill" and what is still known as the 
"Shades of Death". It seems their favorite mode of hunting was to 
take a position on the point of Riche's Hill at which location they could 
hear the dogs nearly all the night. Squire McClintock says they spent 
many a happy night at this great sport, and as an example of their prow- 
ess, Squire McClintock had fifty-six (56) coon hides tacked on both sides 
of his barn, the "catch" in one fall. 

Duncan Hamilton, (whose daughter, Mrs. Harry Alters, lives at 
Monroeville) ran the old grist mill which was located on the west side 
of the residence of S. A Rath. There was also an old distillery located on 
what is now known as Sycamore Street. The stone out of this old dis- 
tillery is now located in the building in the rear of Ross' Fruit Store, the 
date being 1755. Hugh Maxwell, an early settler in Patton Township 
who later resided in Turtle Creek for thirty-five or forty years, died 
last winter. 

The Borough of Turtle Creek made rapid progress after the erection 
of the Works belonging to the Westinghouse Interests along the North 
side of the Creek in the Boroughs of East Pittsburgh and Turtle Creek. 
Its principal street is Penn Avenue, and is traversed by a Street Car 
line running from Pittsburgh, via Wilkinsburg, Ardmore, East Pitts- 
burgh, through Turtle Creek to Trafford City. By other lines the bor- 
ough has direct connection with the entire Monongahela Valley. There 
are also macadamized roads extending out into the Township, seven roads 
centering in this Town. The Greensburg Pike, now called Penn Avenue 
in the Borough of Turtle Creek, is a portion of the Great Lincoln Highway. 

Wm. A. Bryans, who came to Turtle Creek about 1870 and has 
been indentified with the progress of the Borough, has in his possession 
three almanacs called the Pittsburgh Magazine Almanac for the years 
1821, 1822 and 1823. It is time well spent to call at the Squire's Office 
and look over these books. He also has a page from a Squire's Docket, 
and we note in this docket the name of Mr. Wm. McElroy, who is the 
McElroy spoken of earlier in this recital. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 6S 

Among those identified with the progress of Turtle Creek and 
ever striving for its success we find the Hon. W. H. Semmens, formerly 
member of the Pennsylvania State Legislature and now State Senator 
from that Senatorial District; Dr. W. L. Hunter, Joseph Hezlepp, John 
Black, Thomas McMasters, Capt. Jobe, Anthony Lewis, James Gilmore, Sr., 
father of the members of the Gilmore Drug Company, (Jas. Gilmore, Jr., 
one of the sons lives on a farm on the Greensburg Pike and still attends 
the United Presbyterian Church in Turtle Creek), Chas. Naylor, John Lari- 
mer, A. 0. Tinstman and C. P. M. Tinstman, John C. McClintock and sons, 
Charles and Garfield, and daughters Flora and Sadie P., Samuel C. Wil- 
kinson, John T. Trevaskis and his brother A. L. Trevaskis. Mrs. Gale Hun- 
ter Slick, wife of F. F. Slick, who resides at the corner of Jones and Bell 
Avenues, North Braddock, and her sister, Mrs. Leonora Markle Ander- 
son, who resides in New York City, are daughters of Dr. W. L, Hunter, now 
deceased. 



THE RAILROADS. 

BY ALBERT DIETHRICH. 

The transportation facilities of a community are very large fac- 
tors in its growth, prosperity, and culture : and lack of such facilities re- 
sults in a corresponding lack of progress. There are large sections of the 
United States, today, which are in a very backward state of development, 
largely on account of their inadequate means of communication with the 
rest of the world. 

The history of Braddock shows the value to a community, of a sit- 
uation in which ample transportation facilities are available. 

One of the events in which this city took a very conspicuous part, 
the Whiskey Insurrection, was brought about by the lack of facilities for 
carrying the products of this region, of which Pittsburgh is the center, 
to market. The principal product was grain, and there was no means of 
transporting such a bulky commodity east in paying quantities, on account 
of the mountains, and the western route, down the river, was practically 
closed because a large part of the course of the Mississippi River was in 
control of France, not very friendly to the United States at that time. 
Consequently, the farmers of this section found that the easiest way to ob- 
tain the value of their corn and other grain was to convert it into whiskey, 
in which state a man could carry in a small container what represented a 
much greater bulk of grain, and receive for it a larger sum than for the 
corresponding amount of grain. Hence, when the Government put a tax on 
this whiskey, which took away the profit, the people of Western Pennsyl- 
vania arose in revolt, and Braddock's Field was the scene of the mobiliza- 
tion of the insurrectionary forces. 

In its later history, however, Braddock has been very highly 
favored in its transportation facilities, and owes most of its prosperity 
and importance to that fact. Even if the railroads had not been developed 
as they were, the city was situated in a favorable location for traffic on the 
rivers, and canals, which in the event of the non-development of railroads, 
would naturally have become the chief routes of travel. 

The means of transportation were very limited in the early times, 
and improvements did not begin till about 1805. The river was the line 
of communication westward, and eastward the only methods in use were 
by pack-horse, or by carrying on foot, which required nine or ten days for 
the trip from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia. 



«• .•". The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

At first there were two routes to the east, the old Braddock Trail 
to Cumberland and Baltimore, and the route through Bedford, Chambers- 
burg, and Harrisburg, to Philadelphia. On these roads the freight was 
first carried by pack-horses, but this was soon superseded by four or six 
horse wagons, of the type later known as "Prairie schooners", which car- 
ried a trough for feeding the horses, and in which the drivers lived while 
on the road. This wagon traffic lasted until 1829, when the Pennsylvania 
Canal was opened. 

In 1805, a stage line was started, between Pittsburgh and Phila- 
delphia, the trip requiring three days. 

But freighting by wagon soon proved inadequate for the growing 
needs of the country, and attention was turned to canals. About 1829 
the Pennsylvania Canal, connecting Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, was con- 
structed by the state. The canal boats were built in sections, and carried 
over the mountains on inclined railways, which were later used, temporari- 
ly, to connect the eastern and western sections of the Pennsylvania Rail- 
road. 

But the canal was badly managed, and had not proved a successful 
venture financially, having failed to pay even the interest on its debt. 

Just about this time, between 1813 and 1829, steam as a motive 
power was being developed in England, and in 1830 Stevenson succeeded 
in attaining a speed of thirty miles an hour with his engine. The first 
railroad in this country was built in 1826, but for some reason, develop- 
ment was not very rapid. 

The Baltimore and Ohio, the first steam road in America, was also 
the first to attempt to enter the Monongahela and Ohio Valleys. It came 
as far as Cumberland in 1842, and tried to reach the Ohio through West- 
ern Pennsylvania. But the people of Philadelphia, thinking that the trade 
of this section, if carried on a road having its terminus in Baltimore, would 
be diverted to that city, placed obstacles in the way of the granting of the 
right of way to the Baltimore and Ohio, and thus, through sectional jeal- 
ousy and lack of foresight, the road was driven to adopt the route through 
West Virginia, to Wheeling. 

Finally, the object was accomplished by strategy. A bill for the 
incorporation of the Pittsburgh and Connellsville Railroad was tacked on 
to an omnibus bill, and passed by the Legislature while the Philadelphians 
were off their guard, and as this road was really a part of the Baltimore 
& Ohio system, its incorporation gave the latter road the opening it de- 
sired into the Pittsburgh district. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 67 

Progress on the construction of this road was so slow, however, that 
many of the stockholders grew impatient at the delay and invested in the 
Pennsylvania and Ohio, which later became the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne 
and Chicago Railroad. 

At this time the Philadelphia people determined to organize a road 
of their own, and the Pennsylvania Railroad was chartered in 1846, with 
a capital of $10,000,000.00, and construction was begun in 1848. 

In 1852, the road was opened, though at first the inclines of the 
canal were used in crossing the mountains, and it was not till 1854 that the 
road was completed so that trains could run through on its own tracks. 

The Pittsburgh end was constructed as far as Brinton, where it 
was delayed for some time at the point where the plank road between 
Braddock and Turtle Creek had to be crossed, as the crossing of a previous 
right of way was a more difficult matter at that time than now. This con- 
nection was made in 1852. 

In 1857 the Pennsylvania Railroad bought the main line of the 
Pennsylvania canal, paying $7,500,000.00 for it, thus obtaining a monopoly 
for the railroads, of the traffic east and west. 

The canals had been badly managed, and graft and engineering 
difficulties made them unprofitable, as over $30,000,000.00 had been ex- 
pended on them and they had failed to pay the interest on their debts. 
Also, at this time, popular opinion was so strongly in favor of the rail- 
roads, that the value of the "Miserable ditches" was not appreciated, and 
the canal was sold. It has since been realized that, if the main canal 
between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh had been maintained and brought to 
a point of high efficiency, it would have tended to regulate freight charges, 
and prevent discrimination. 

The Pittsburgh and Connellsville, or Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, 
was built from Connellsville as far as Port Perry, now Bessemer, in 1856, 
and connected by a short junction line with the Pennsylvania at Brinton. 
and from there Baltimore and Ohio trains ran to Pittsburgh on the tracks 
of the Pennsylvania. In 1860 the contract was awarded for the completion 
of the road to Pittsburgh, and this section was finished, so that trains 
could run through to Pittsburgh in 1861. 

The first freight locomotive on the Baltimore & Ohio at this point 
was of what was known as the "Camel back" type, and is said to have 
been very noisy while in operation. Other engines in use in the early 
times were designated by names, as the "Harmer Denny", and the "George 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 69 

Washington". Another, the Number 5, was continually getting off the 
track. 

Some of our most famous men of affairs received their early train- 
ing on these primitive railroads. J. Edgar Thomson, after whom the Edgar 
Thomson Steel works are named, was the first Chief Engineer, and later 
President, of the Pennsylvania; and Andrew Carnegie was once Superin- 
tendent of the same road. 

Things were done in a much more simple manner in those days than 
at present. An incident which happened on one occasion shows the ab- 
sence of red tape in the management at that time. While Andrew Car- 
negie was Superintendent, Mr. J. B. Corey, a coal operator, who still lives 
in Braddock, went to Mr. Carnegie and asked for some coal cars. Carnegie 
said "All right, they will be out there before you will". Mr. Corey said 
that would be impossible, as he intended going out on the next trip of the 
one passenger train which ran between Pittsburgh and Braddock at that 
time, and which was lying in the station ready to start. Then Mr. Carnegie 
ordered that the coal train be coupled on ahead of the passenger train, 
which was done, much to the displeasure of the conductor, John Routh, a 
famous character in the early days of railroading on the Pennsylvania, 
and the coal cars really reached Braddock before Mr. Corey did. 

As another instance of the lax methods of the early days may be 
cited the means of acquiring the right of way. When the Baltimore & 
Ohio Railroad wanted to go through Braddock, they just laid their tracks 
down on Halket Avenue, one of the main streets, running the entire length 
of the town, without asking permission of any one, and no one seemed to 
object. At that time there was a good wagon road along the right bank 
of the Monongahela, clear to McKeesport. This road looked good to the 
Baltimore & Ohio, and they appropriated it also. At first only one track 
was laid. Later it was double-tracked, and finally the four tracks occupied 
all the space between the foot-hills and the river. The township then went 
into court and got an order compelling the railroad to build a wagon road 
along the hill side. In compliance with this order the railroad scratched 
the hill side a little, but six months after the wagon road was completed 
a goat couldn't walk over it without danger of falling off. After years of 
litigation the matter was finally adjusted, only recently, by the railroad's 
paying into the township treasury a definite sum. 

From these comparatively simple beginnings the Pennsylvania and 
Baltimore and Ohio Railroads have developed to the great institutions 
which they are today. 



70 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

In 1883, the Pittsburgh, McKeesport and Youghiogheny Railroad, 
a subsidiary of the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Lines, was constructed 
through Braddock, during the excavation for which a number of Indian 
skeletons and implements were dug up. This railroad, as originally 
planned, was to have run along the south shore of the Monongahela River, 
but, in order to obtain some of the business of the Edgar Thomson Steel 
works, the plan was changed, and the road crossed the river and ran 
along the right bank of the river. Besides this, the Pitts- 
burgh, Virginia and Charleston Railroad, of the Pennsylvania System, 
runs on the opposite side of the river, and connects with the main line of 
the Pennsylvania through the tunnel at Port Perry; and the Bessemer 
and Lake Erie, and Union lines also touch this district at the same point. 
The Western Maryland also has connections here, using the tracks of the 
Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Lines. Braddock thus has a direct outlet over 
five of the greatest railroads of the country : the Pennsylvania system, 
the Baltimore & Ohio, the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie, (a part of the New 
York Central), the Bessemer & Lake Erie, and the Western Maryland. 

The Bessemer and Lake Erie was built in 1898, by the Carnegie 
Steel interests, because of discrimination in freight rates against this 
district by the old systems. 

These roads have made many improvements since the original 
tracks were laid. Both the Pennsylvania and the Baltimore and Ohio rail- 
roads have developed from single track to four track roads. About 1880 the 
Pennsylvania widened its line to four tracks, and the present Braddock 
depot was built in 1884, to replace the old one which had been in use since 
about 1865. Later, improvements were made on the line through Brad- 
dock which are probably as extensive as any to be found in the same length 
of track at any point on the road. The grade crossing at Fourth Street was 
eliminated, the present Copeland station and underground passageway, 
or tunnel, was constructed; bridges were built at Thirteenth Street and 
Second Street; a roadway under the tracks was constructed at Sixth 
Street, and the bridge and passageway at Library Street were entirely 
made new. Since the completion of these improvements, in 1913, there 
have been almost no accidents on the tracks of the Pennsylvania Railroad 
in Braddock. 

In 1907, the Baltimore and Ohio began operations on the widening 
of their right of way through the Borough of Braddock, and bought all 
the property between Wood Way and its own tracks between Seventh and 
Eleventh Streets; increased the number of its tracks from two to four; re- 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 71 

placed the Passenger Station at Ninth Street by the present one at Eighth 
Street; built the new Freight Station at Eighth Street, and paid a sum 
of money into the Borough treasury. 

All these roads handle an enormous traffic, both in passengers and 
freight, to and from Braddock, and are factors of immeasurable strength 
in the manufacturing and commercial importance of the community, and 
the favorable situation of the city in this respect is a guarantee of the con- 
tinuance of its importance and prosperity. 



THE FIRST STREET CAR OK BEADDOCK OPERATED ON BRADDOCK AND TURTLE CREEK 
ROAD, SATURDAY. JULY 25, 1891. HENRY FOYE. MOTORMAN. 




c.^iii,'.'::"-:^:-" ; :rv i ""~ 




MODERN STREET CAR AS USED IN 1917. 
MIDDLE SCENE- HENRY McNANY, GIVING THE KIDDIES A FREE RIDE JULY 1, 1908. 



BRADDOCK ELECTRIC RAILWAYS. 

BY D. NEWTON GREER. 

The electric motor is one of the marvelous inventions of the nine- 
teenth century. The railway system had not long been introduced when 
the first proposition to employ electric locomotive traction was made. As 
early as 1835 experiments in this direction were made by Thomas Daven- 
port, who constructed a model electric car operated on a circular track by 
means of batteries. 

In 1850, Professor Page of the Smithsonian Institution of Washing- 
ton, D. C, employed the current from one hundred large Grove cells to 
operate an electric locomotive which developed sixteen horse-power, and 
ran at the rate of nineteen miles an hour on the Baltimore and Ohio Rail- 
road; but it was quite impracticable for it was far too expensive. The dis- 
covery of a cheap and easy means of electric traction was later developed. 
The first practical overhead trolley line was built in Kansas City in 1884, 
in which double overhead conductors were used with a trolley wheel riding 
on top of the wire. In 1885 Mr. Daft constructed a third rail line in Balti- 
more, and Mr. Depoele installed an overhead trolley at Toronto, Canada. 

The next step made in the development of the electric railway in the 
U. S., and the one which did most to stimulate capitalists and inventors 
to the action which has produced the marvelous perfection in electric rail- 
way transportation which we witness today, was the contract made by the 
Union Passenger Railroad Company of Richmond, Va., with F. J. Sprague 
to equip its thirteen-mile system of street railways for electric traction. 

On January 1, 1888, there were thirteen electric railways with 
forty-eight miles of track in operation in the United States and Canada. 
These followed a period of consolidated interests among electric railway 
builders, and the modern era of electric railway development was opened. 
Since 1888, or in twenty-nine years, electric railways have grown wonder- 
fully until now the valuation of electric railways in the United States is 
approximately one billion dollars. 

THE BRADDOCK AND TURTLE CREEK RAILWAY COMPANY. 
Street Railway service for Braddock began on Saturday, July 25, 
1891, when the Braddock and Turtle Creek Street Railway Company 
brought three old horse-cars from New York City and converted them into 
electric cars. These cars were put in commission on Braddock Avenue 
and ran from the Baltimore and Ohio Station at Rankin to Thirteenth 
Street, Braddock. The novelty of the Electric cars at that time is shown 



74 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

by the fact that the receipts of that short line on that first Saturday 
amounted to Sixty-five dollars, in consequence of 1,300 persons having 
taken advantage of this new mode of travel. 

Early in 1892 the line was extended to the McKinney homestead 
near Bessemer, on the East, and as far as Keating station on the West. 

The late William Yost, Esq., was President, and George E. T. 
Stamets, lately deceased, Superintendent, of the company opening this line. 
Other stockholders were Joseph Wolf, the late Fred Edwards, Mrs. Mary 
Matlack. Henry Foye, present Lieutenant of Police, was motorman, 
and Charles Johnson, conductor, on the first of the three cars sent 
out. In 1892 Mr. Foye was appointed assistant superintendent. Hen- 
ry McNany of 201 Main Street, North Braddock, was motorman on one 
of the three cars mentioned and has acted in that capacity somewhere on 
the"7ine ever since. His present run is between Rankin and Keating. In 
an accompanying illustration a very commendable trait of character of 
Mr. McNany is exhibited. It was his custom on the Fourth of July to 
invite the children along his route to participate in a free trolley party, 
and he had no trouble in getting a crowd. 

Byron Pierce and Herman Steiner were conductors on this line, 
David Bradford, J. E. Griffith and Christ Forney were motormen. 

Herbert Delafield was a conductor on one of these early cars and 
the youngest street-car conductor in the country at that time, being but 
sixteen years of age. 

The second invoice of cars obtained for service on this line was the 
product of the Braddock Union Planing Company, now the Braddock 
Lumber Company. 

One of the noteworthy results of the coming of the electric cars to 
Braddock was the doing away with the old-time cobble-stone paving. 

THE SECOND AVENUE PASSENGER COMPANY. 

In the year 1893, the Braddock and Turtle Creek Railway was taken 
over by the Second Avenue Passenger Company, and the line extended as 
far as Glenwood. The latter company continued the line to East Pitt- 
burg in 1895, and to Wilmerding in 1896. Herbert Delafield, the young 
man already mentioned, was conductor on the first car that went through 
to Pittsburg from Wilmerding. 

The Corey Avenue line was built by the Second Avenue Passenger 
Company and the franchise was granted August 2, 1887. The object of 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 75 

this branch was perhaps to divert the traffic from the proposed line of the 
Monongahela Company through North Braddock to East Pittsburg. 

THE BRADDOCK ELECTRIC. 

Beginning in 1893 the Braddock Electric, with A. L. Savior of 
Pittsburgh, President, and Charles Ellis of Swissvale, Superintendent, 
operated a strictly local line. Starting at the South Side of Braddock 
Avenue, the track led down Thirteenth Street, to Talbot Avenue; along 
Talbot to Second "Street; up Second to Mills Street; along Mills to Fourth 
Street; up Fourth and across Pennsylvania railroad tracks at Copeland 





HERBERT DELAF1ELD, HENRY FOYE, 

The first Conductor to run a car from Motorman on first Street Cai operated 

Wilmerding through Braddock 

to Pittsburgh. '" Braddock. 

Station to Hawkins Avenue, and along Hawkins east, as far as Dookers 
Hollow; also from Talbot Avenue up Eighth Street to Braddock Avenue, 
up Library Street and Jones Avenue to Bell Avenue. 

An effort was made to complete the circuit of this line at Thirteenth 
Street by crossing the tracks of the Pennsylvania railroad and connecting 
with the line in North Braddock. But this was met with strong opposi- 
tion at all times, and the opposition was so acrimonious and the through 
lines so advantageous that the Braddock Electric was forced out of 
business. 

THE MONONGAHELA STREET RAILWAY COMPANY. 

The Mellon Brothers, buying out the holdings of the Braddock 
Electric Company, began the development of street railway business upon 
a vastly larger scale, under the corporate name of The Monongahela Street 



76 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

Railway Company. The contract with the borough was signed November 
10, 1896. 

L. Wheeler, now deceased, was superintendent of this division and 
served until the summer of 1898, when Frank McCoy, who had been super- 
intendent of the Pittsburgh and Birmingham South Side lines, was elected, 
and served until the time of consolidation. During the incumbency of Mr. 
McCoy, the development of the street car service was amazingly rapid, 

In the road-building series begun by this company, the first unit 
was completed July 5, 1897, when the first car operated between Braddock 
and Homestead over the West Braddock bridge. 

This route had a decided advantage over the Second Avenue line, 
which took its serpentine course down the right bank of the Monongahela 
river to Highland Station, and there transferred its passengers across 
Brown's bridge to Homestead. 

The Yellow Line, so called because of the color of its cars, operated 
its first cars from Thirteenth Street on Talbot Avenue over West Brad- 
dock bridge to Pittsburgh, December 4, 1898. Twelve cars were scheduled, 
and made the round trip in two hours. When it came to opening the road 
to Duquesne and McKeesport, the first thought of the Mellon Brothers was 
to go up Talbot Avenue to Thirteenth Street and there cross the river on a 
bridge to what is now Kennywood Park. This of course met no opposition 
in borough council for the company had paid $5,000 for the franchise. To 
the surprise of all concerned the company began the construction of a line 
along the hill on the south side of the river, leaving Braddock on the other 
side of the river from the main traffic between the two principal cities of 
the county. 

Thus the line was opened and the initial car operated between Du- 
quesne and Braddock over the West Braddock bridge, December 10, 1898. 

Onward is the word that charms the willing powers of the ambitious, 
and the next line was opened to East Pittsburgh via Eighth Street across 
Braddock Avenue; up Library and Jones Avenue and out Bell Avenue, 
February 1, 1900. On the same date, the first car on the upper line from 
Wilkinsburg through North Braddock to East Pittsburgh, was operated. 

Another unit was added to the numerous lines already in opera- 
tion when the Blue line, or the Swissvale and Rankin, on January 10, 1901, 
sent out its first car from Thirteenth Street on Talbot Avenue connecting 
with Rankin at West Braddock Bridge by extending the bridge over the B. 
& O. tracks. This line was believed to be the shortest and consequently 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 77 

the quickest route to the city. The road from Wilmerding to Pitcairn was 
opened in 1902 and continued to Trafford in 1903. 

So engrossed was the company in the thought and work of putting 
their lines into speedy operation, that the housing of the cars seemed to 
have been lost sight of. When the matter was forced upon them, tempo- 
rary quarters were secured with the consolidated company in the Home- 
wood barns until the completion of their own barn at Rankin in 1900. 

When the lines were completed and about to open. Superintendent 
McCoy, with other officials, took representatives of the Pittsburgh and 
local press over the road in two special cars. Returning from this tour 
of inspection a banquet was given in the assembly rooms of the new car 
barn on Talbot Avenue, Rankin. 

THE PITTSBURGH RAILWAYS COMPANY. 

The Monongahela Street Railway Company in building their roads 
and operating their rolling stock had rendered a service to this community 
better than they knew. 

The climax in the development of street railway service was 
reached when, on the first day of January, 1902, the Monongahela Street 
Railway Company, the Consolidated Traction Company and the United 
Traction were merged into the Pittsburgh Railways Company. 

Mr. Fred. R. Wilhelm, who came here in April, 1899, as dispatcher, 
was made superintendent of the Monongahela Division No. 4 at the time 
of consolidation, and has been the efficient executive ever since. 

The street car industry has worked to the development of Brad- 
dock as a residence section for working-men in the mills. A five cent fare 
will carry a man from Braddock to any of the important works of the 
Monongahela Valley, including Homestead, Munhall, Duquesne, across the 
river ; the enormous furnaces and machine shops in Rankin ; the immense 
Switch and Signal Company's works in Swissvale; the Westinghouse in 
East Pittsburg ; and the entire Edgar Thomson Works in North Braddock. 
Or a five cent fare will carry a resident in any of the communities named 
to any of the Braddock industries. Thus through the instrumentality of 
the street car lines above described more than 40,000 men are carried 
daily from home to work and from the mills back home for a nickel fare. 

The traffic on these lines is enormous, having increased from those 
three small cars and one mile of track in 1891 to one hundred large cars, 
65 miles of track and serving approximately 100,000 people. 



CAMP COPELAND AND THE CIVIL WAR. 

BY MRS. JENNIE S. LAPSLEY 

Braddock's Field was a small town in 1861 when the call name for 
men and means to help preserve this Union of ours. Small though she 
was, she was patriotic and gave of her best. Men were soon enlisting and 
hurrying to the front, at first in the three months' service and then for 
three years. 

A fife and drum corp was formed and with martial music helped 
to keep up the courage both of those who left and of those who remained 
at home. 

A familiar sight in those days was the red shirts of the Home 
Guard as they went back and forth to their drill grounds, which were 
where the Carnegie School now stands. Their guns were mostly home 
made, shaped out of a piece of wood ; but what matter, they answered 
the purpose of the drill. As there was not much work to be had, the men 
had plenty of time on their hands and the drill was a daily occur- 
rence. From this organization many went into the army. 

The other day while talking with a dear old lady about the Civil 
war, she told me how she had climbed the hill to the Pennsylvania rail- 
road and as the train, crowded with its cheering men went by, she had 
held up her baby boy that its father might see it again. The old lady, 
Mrs. Nathaniel Lowry, and her son, Mr. John S. Lowry, now one of the 
substantial and most highly respected citizens of Braddock, prominent 
in industrial, fraternal, civic and church work, are still living in Braddock, 
but the father fell at Fair Oaks. As she told the tale I thought of the 
many sad stories that have been related of those days, and feared that 
our nation may soon be again living through such scenes. 

Some of those who enlisted from Braddock's Field were: George F. 
House, Samuel T. Guthrie, John P. Guthrie, William H. Furlong, James 
McCauley, George Petty, Thomas Kinney, David McCune, Isaac Mills, 
J. A. Young, William Smith, Charles Harrison, Daniel Oskin, Alexander 
Law. Zacharia Oskin, William Ford, William Sarver, Eli R. Dowler, John 
W. Adams, Charles Adams, Frank Dunbar, William Redman, Hiram Baugh- 
man, C. C. Lobingier, J. T. Getty, John Strathern, A. R. Adams, W. H. 
Morrow, James Strathern, Nathaniel Lowry, Alex. McCauly, Wm. Mc- 
Combs, Wm. Sherwin, John Soles, David Perry, Thomas Hadden, George 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 79 

Gibson, Lester Gibson, Augustus Schultz, Conrad Speidel, John Mc- 
Cracken, James A. Russel, Frank Russel, John Kolb, Jack James and two 
brothers, George Smith, David Bradford, Robert Forsythe, Samuel Hail, 
James Johnson, Patrick McGreevy. 

This list is probably incomplete. 

Of this number nine are still living — four of them in Braddock. 

Captain William Smith, Charles Adams, John Strathern, Nathaniel 
Lowry, David Perry, and John McCracken never returned home. 

According to a circular issued by the War Department, Washing- 
ton, D. C, July 3, 1863, three rendezvous for drafted men were established 
in Pennsylvania. One was to be at Pittsburgh and the site selected was a 
portion of the Mill's farm near the Pennsylvania railroad at Braddock's 
Field. 

These depots were for the purpose of receiving and conducting to 
their several regiments the men of the draft, who were assigned to fill 
them. The commandants of the rendezvous were informed of the num- 
ber of drafted men to be sent to each regiment, and they prepared the 
detachments and sent them as soon as the requisite number could be made 
up. 

Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Kane was appointed in charge of this camp, 
July 4, 1863. He was relieved July 18, 1863 by Brig. Gen. Joseph T. Cope- 
land. Gen. Copeland had charge until March 26, 1864 when he was relieved 
by Col. M. D. Hardin. 

At first the camp was composed of tents, but later, lumber was 
obtained and buildings were erected, the work being done by the men in 
the camp. 

In the picture reproduced here, may be seen the hospital in the 
foreground close to the railroad. In the entreme left is the Commandants' 
house, and next to it are the officers' quarters. The other buildings are 
the barracks for the troops. 

The original picture was obtained from Mr. Walter Collins, who had 
it taken in 1864, while he was located at Camp Copeland with his com- 
pany under Capt. James L. McFeeters, who was for many years after the 
war a resident of Braddock. 

This insert is a picture of Mr. Collins who served three years. He 
saw much service under Pope and Burnside being in the battles of second 
Bull Run and Fredericksburg ; then was under Grant when Vicksburg fell. 
Later he spent about a year at Camp Copeland helping to drill the men 
and taking charge of squads that were sent out to fill up regiments. Mr. 
Collins is now living on Washington street in Braddock. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 81 

This camp's location so close to the town kept the people con- 
stantly in touch with the soldiers. At times there were as many as 
six or seven thousand men in camp. It is said by those who lived in 
Braddock's Field at that time, that these men were generally orderly and 
well behaved, giving the people little occasion for complaint. They were 
rather fond of stopping at the different homes to chat with the people, 
and never were above accepting a pie or cake when offered them, though 
they were not always careful to return the plates. 

Sometimes the citizens would clash with the authorities in camp. 
Mrs. Nathaniel Lowry tells the following story: Many of the fences hav- 
ing been taken down and used for firewood, the animals of the surround- 
ing farms sometimes went astray. One day a prominent citizen lost a 
pig and, going to the camp, blamed the soldiers for taking it. An argu- 
ment arose and later a soldier went to the man's home and asked his wife 
to send a dinner to the gentleman. They had placed him in the guard 
house, and they kept him there until four o'clock that afternoon. 

The camp was called "Camp Copeland" in Honor of Gen. Copeland 
while he was in charge. When Col. Hardin took command he named it 
"Camp Reynolds" for Gen. Reynolds, who had fallen at Gettysburg. Later, 
however, the name first given was again taken and we now always speak 
of it as Camp Copeland. 

During the year 1864 there was much sickness in the camp. Many 
of the men died and were buried in the Robinson graveyard, but their 
bodies were afterwards raised and transferred by the government to the 
Soldiers' plot in the Allegheny Cemetery. There was at least one case of 
small-pox at this time. 

A sad accident happened at the Camp when one of the Mills boys, 
while handling a gun, was accidently shot. He died shortly afterwards. 

Religious services were held at Camp on Sabbath afternoons and 
were attended by the townspeople. 

Soon those that remember Camp Copeland will have passed beyond 
and it will be only a small matter of history. During the time of its ex- 
istence, however, it was woven very closely into the life of the people of 
Braddock's Field. 

An order April 2d, 1865 closed the camp, but the name still remains, 
that portion of Braddock being still called Copeland as is the station on 
the Pennsylvania Railroad at that place. 



A SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL BRADDOCK 

AND BRIEF HISTORY OF 

THE EDGAR THOMSON STEEL WORKS. 

BY HUGH P. MEESE. 

FOREWORD. 

A history is not evolved from some historian's inner consciousness. 
It is, on the contrary, the result of a vast amount of digging and refining, 
the value of the history depending upon the patience with which the his- 
torian has delved and the clarity and judgment of his presentation. 

It will be readily apparent to the reasonable man that in the odd 
moments of six weeks lapse of time no very exhaustive history can be 
both assembled and written out. 

Space having only been accorded me for one full history, I have as- 
signed that honor, correctly I believe, to the Edgar Thomson plant, in 
which a vastly greater number of Braddock's citizens have been employed 
than in any other establishment, and which is also the most famous of her 
industries. 

To the many friends and associates who gave me such kind as- 
sistance and advice in the scramble for facts and dates, I wish to extend 
my deepest thanks. HUGH P. MEESE. 

Swissvale, April 7, 1917. 



84 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL BRADDOCK. 

In 1850 the Monongahela at Braddock's Field rolled through a quiet 
scene of sylvan beauty. Thickly wooded hills shaded her peaceful waters 
on the south, while on the Braddock side long grassy swards dipped to the 
river's brim. 

The low land along the river, now filled in with cinder, ash, and 
slag, and usurped by belching steel plants, was the home of the bullfrog 
and the meadowlark, while on a summer's night a thousand glow worms 
swung their lanterns in the swamp land and gave the first faint prophesy 
of the myriad electric arcs that later were to change night into day upon 
that ground. Not clouds of smoke, but flocks of white-winged pigeons hung 
beneath the clear, unsullied sky, and in quiet hickory groves the oriole 
swung his nest where now the operator's cage scurries back and forth on 
the Edgar Thomson cranes. The robin and the woodthrush called, and no 
steam siren split the air, nor was the busy tapping of the woodpecker yet 
transformed into the clamor of the pneumatic riveter. The rail-saw not 
yet challenged the nightly supremacy of the screech-owl and the bat, and 
no sudden clang of steel startled the sleeper's eai\ Truly a golden age. 

But not for Braddock was the lure of green fields and running 
waters. Hers was to be a life of action and achievement, hers was no 
Lotus land of dreams. Already the faint tapping of a hammer and musi- 
cal song of a distant saw-mill come at intervals on the quiet air: her in- 
dustrial history is beginning. 

As in so brief a survey only a few of the more important industries 
can be mentioned, we will waive consideration of the countless little en- 
terprises that Braddock must have mothered between the days of Frazier's 
cabin and the middle of the last century, and assume our story with the 
barrel and furniture factory of seventy years ago. 

This barrel factory, which also made chairs and furniture of the 
rougher type, seems to have been founded shortly before 1850 by a Mr. 
Soles and others of Scotch descent, who originally hailed from Massa- 
chusetts. The exact date of its commencement is shrouded in obscurity, 
but we know that about 1850 John and Daniel Richardson purchased the 
business and started the Braddock Saw Mill and Boat Yard, located on the 
present site of the city's water plant. This firm, in turn, was later bought 
out by Lazear, Sollinger, and Patton, and was doing business as late as 
1878, when the property was purchased by the Borough of Braddock as a 
site for the city's water plant. (1 > 



(1) The data on this subject is the result of investigations by Mr. C. S. Marks. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 85 

In 1861, shortly after the inauguration of the great Civil War, 
the McVay-Walker Foundry was built at Braddock, and during the re- 
bellion made many supplies for the Federal Government. Later this firm 
did much of the small casting work for the Edgar Thomson plant, and has 
really been the mother of all Braddock's steel and iron industries. It is 
still doing business today at the age of 57 years, although during 1916 the 
firm suffered a disastrous fire. It is undoubtedly the oldest of Braddock's 
larger industries. 

Among the numerous lumber companies that followed the early 
planing mill were the Grannis Brothers and the Dowler Lumber Company. 
The Dowler Lumber Company was established in 1866, according to Mr. 
Thos. J. Dowler, and went out of business in 1912. 

1872 saw the commencement of the world-famous Edgar Thomson 
Steel Works, and likewise the start of the famous local plant of McCrady 
Brothers, who now do such an extensive business in hauling and in sand, 
coal, lime, stone, etc. James McCrady did much of the hauling work for 
the new plant, and McCrady Bros, have grown steadily ever since, until 
at the present time it has over 60 teams and 11 motor trucks, and is well 
known for reliability and promptness all over Allegheny County. The 
firm today consists of J. H. McCrady, J. H. McCrady, Jr., Ed. McCrady, 
W. F. McCrady, H. C. McCrady, J. F. Baldwin, and W. L. Bender.* 1 ' 

Late in 1875 the Edgar Thomson Steel Works (which are treated 
at length later in this article) got into operation, and no industrial develop- 
ments of major importance appear in this district until 1882. In that year 
the famous "Duquesne Forge" to which reference is so frequently made by 
old inhabitants, was built at Rankin on the ground now occupied by the 
McClintic Marshall Construction Company. 

The Duquesne Forge (2) was originally constructed on Duquesne 
Way, Pittsburgh, by Joseph Heigh, William Miller later becoming a part- 
ner in the firm, and the name being changed to "Miller's Forge." The 
Pittsburgh plant was torn down and rebuilt at Braddock in 1882 under 
the old name, "Duquesne Forge," Miller and Alexander McKim (now of 
Swissvale, Pa.) being partners in the enterprise. The river industry was 
of great importance in those days, and the forge made all sorts of boat and 
ship supplies, such as stanchions, shanks, shafts, chains, gears, etc., some of 
the forgings running as high as 100,000 pounds weight. The original firm 
had done work for Government torpedo boats during the Civil War, and 



vale. 



(1) Data on McCrady Bros, secured from the office of that firm. 

(2) Data on the Duquesne Forge secured from Mr. Alexander McKim of Swiss- 



86 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Pield. 

when the Spanish War broke out the Rankin firm made some 300 cannon 
for the Government, weighing on an average 25,000 pounds apiece. The 
firm employed about 200 men, and was one of the large industries of its 
day. In 1905 McClintic Marshall absorbed the property. 

The success of the Lucy, Isabella, and Edgar Thomson Blast Fur- 
naces was very alluring to other steel men in the early 80's, and in 1883 
we find William Clark Sons and Company building the first of what is now 
known as the Carrie Furnaces* 1 ' at Rankin, on 35 acres of ground pur- 
chased from John Adams. The first blast furnace produced about 100 tons 
of iron a day, under the supervision of Superintendent Martin H. Thomp- 
son. The original furnace was removed from Port Washington, Ohio, and 
blown in February 29, 1884. They are each 100 feet high, with 23-foot 
bosh and 15-foot hearth. Subsequent superintendents of the plant have 
been : 

William Rotthof, 

Harry Watt, 

George K. Hamfeldt, 

Jacob A. Mohr. 

The Carrie Furnace Company erected a second furnace in 1900, 
and the Carnegie Steel Company, which later took control, has built the 
following additional furnaces : — 

Two furnaces in 1900. 

One furnace in 1903. 

Two furnaces in 1907. 

The acreage has been increased from 35 to 66 acres, and the pro- 
duction from 35,000 to 894,000 tons of pig iron annually. 

The plant now employs about 1,000 men, and is under the super- 
vision of Mr. A. A. Corey, Jr., General Superintendent of the Homestead 
Steel Works. It is, of course, a subsidiary of the United States Steel 
Corporation. 

The present operating staff of the plant consists of the follow- 
ing officials: — 

Jacob A. Mohr, Superintendent, 

H. A. Berg, Assistant Superintendent, 

T. E. Kenney, Pay Clerk, 

Michael Ryan, General Operating Foreman, 



(1) Data on the Carrie Furnaces secured from J. A. Mohr, Superintendent, and 
a book entitled "The Inside History of the Carnegie Steel Company." 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 87 

Chas. L. Davis, Assistant Master Mechanic, 

Wm. Jackson, Assistant Superintendent Electrical Department. 

In May, 1884, the Braddock Tannery, operated by Owen Sheekey 
and James Callery, commenced operations in Rankin on the site of the 
present Wire Mill. It covers 17 acres and originally employed about 60 
men, and in its best days did a business of from $150,000 to $200,000 an- 
nually. The plant, however, was burned out in 1886, and thereafter did 
business on a somewhat smaller scale, employing only about 35 men. A 
second disastrous fire occurred August 28, 1893, upon which the firm went 
out of business, selling out to the Braddock Wire Company. On the oc- 
casion of the first fire they had sold about 12 acres to the wire company, 
and they now sold the remainder of their ground to the same concern. 
Information on this subject was secured from the sons of Mr. Owen 
Sheekey, and from the Superintendent of the Rankin Wire Mill, Mr. E. H. 
Broden. 

In 1885 the W. R. McCloy Glass Works were erected at Rankin 
Station, on a 5-acre tract of land fronting on the Union Siding of the 
P. McK. & Y. and B. & O. Railroads, and extending back to the Mononga- 
hela river, the property adjoining the ground of the Duquesne Forge on 
the south. Here one of the first tank furnaces ever built in the Pittsburgh 
district for making crystal blown glass was constructed. The product 
chiefly consisted of lantern globes, fruit and candy jars. In the year 1887 
The Braddock Glass Company, Ltd. was organized and incorporated, and 
the capacity of the plant enlarged by the installation of one 10-pot fur- 
nace. This company employed about 150 men, and in addition to the 
former product, also turned out a complete line of lamp chimneys. In 
March, 1892, the plant was totally destroyed by fire, which is said to have 
originated from sparks emitted by a passing switching locomotive. The 
whole country was at that time entering a period of depression, and the 
works were consequently not rebuilt.' 1 ' 

In 1886 Col. Thomas Fitch and William Edenborn purchased 12 
acres of land from the Sheekey Tannery and built the first Rankin Wire 
Mill, f2 > known as the "Braddock Wire Company." The development of the 
plant has been as follows : — 

1886— Rod Mill. 

1888 — Galvanizing Department. 



(1) Data on the glass works secured from W. R. McCloy of Union Street, La- 
fayette, Indiana. 

(2) Data on the Rankin Wire Mills secured from Mr. E. H. Broden, Manager. 



88 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

1890— Nail Mill. 

1891 — Fence and barbed wire departments. 

1891 — Cooper shop. 

1892— Warehouse. 

1895— Rod mill rebuilt. 

1898 — Galvanizing department rebuilt. 

1905— Nail mill rebuilt. 

1907- — Boiler house rebuilt and enlarged. 

1907 — Warehouse rebuilt. 

1912 — Galvanizing department rebuilt. 

1913— Nail Mill rebuilt. 

The following list shows the resident managers of the plant, and the 
dates on which they took office : — 

Col. Thos. Fitch.... 1886 August Mann.... 1902 

Mr. Porter .1889 Chas. W. Lutz ....1906 

J. W. Govier .1889 F. H. Nullmeyer ... 1907 

Peter Mcllvrie 1890 F. D. Haynes 1909 

Geo. Nash 1898 J. G. Mustin ...1910 

Walter C. Stone . ..1901 H. S. White 1913 

E. H. Broden ... 1916 

The plant today produces rods, wire, wire nails, staples, galvanized 
wire, annealed wire, woven fence, barbed wire, and nail kegs, and employs 
about 1,250 men. In addition to Mr. G. W. Jewett, who is Manager of 
Wire Mills in the Pittsburgh District of the American Steel & Wire Com- 
pany, the following men are now on the operating staff of the Rankin 
Works of the American Steel & Wire Company: — (1 > 

E. H. Broden, E. D. Thompson, J. T. Saunders, William Murphy, J. 
W. Kilburn, H. B. Trott, Thos. Chambers, John Tompos, M. E. Reyneke, 
John McAfee, Fred Hultgren, G. W. Jewett, Jr., P. Crane, R. E. Hurrell, 
C. S. Young, A. Faloona, P. Olson, W. M. Riedl, J. C. Jamison, A. J. Ry- 
lander, A. J. Day, Chas. Eddstrom, John Nelson, J. P. Caulfield, C. Hult- 
gren, and P. McDonough. 

The plant from 1896 to 1898 was run under the name of the "Con- 
solidated Wire Company," and was one of the holdings which John W. 
Gates, a heavy stockholder in the Consolidated, was later able to sell to the 
Steel Corporation. 

(1) A subsidiary of the U. S. Steel Corporation. 




J. A. FARRELL. 
President, United States Steel Corporation, Formerly a Braddock Steel Man. 




D. G. KERK 
resident U. S. Steel Corporation, 
■rly Supt. Blast Fur.. E. T. Works.) 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 89 

A Braddock lumber firm which has withstood the test of years is 
the Braddock Lumber Company, 1 " originally the Braddock Planing Mill 
Co., established in 1887 by Henry Miller and W. A. Davis at the B. & 0. 
Railroad and Eighth Street. The plant later changed hands and became 
known as the Braddock Lumber Company, the present management tak- 
ing charge in 1908. In 1916 all interests of the firm passed into the 
hands of the present manager, William McCollum, and his brother, Mark 
McCollum, who are now full owners of the establishment. The plant 
is one of the largest and best equipped planing mills in Western Pennsyl- 
vania, and has the largest retail lumber yard and most varied assortment 
of stock in this district, employing at full capacity about 35 men. Offi- 
cers: William McCollum, President; Lillian McCollum, Vice President; 
Mark McCollum, Secretary and Treasurer. 

The Braddock Wire Plant (2) was constructed by Col. Thos. W. 
Fitch in 1891 on 5V-> acres purchased from Redman & Haney. While the 
original plant produced but 90 tons of rods in 24 hours, the works today 
put out 400 tons of rods in 24 hours and 340 tons of wire, and the plant 
has shown steady progress. 

Col. Fitch was manager of the plant from 1891 until 1899, when 
it was taken over by the American Steel & Wire Company and Geo. W. 
Nash appointed superintendent May 1, 1899. The successive superin- 
tendents of the plant have been : — 

William Farrell Jan., 1900 to July, 1901 

August Mann July, 1901 to 1903 

J. G. Mustin ...1903 to 1906 

F. H. Nullmeyer 1906 to 1907 

H. S. White ......1907 to 1912 

E. H. Broden ......1913 to 1916 

F. B. Hill 1916 to date 

The plant at present consists of one Garrett Rod Mill, one 216 
block wire mill, 16 annealing furnaces, one cold drawing department, one 
power house, machine shop, carpenter, and other repair shops. Mr. A. 
Eyman is Assistant Superintendent of the Braddock plant. 

Another Braddock firm that commenced operations about the same 
time is the Rankin plant of the Consolidated Expanded Metal Company, 
now operated by H. B. Chess, Jr., P. F. Chess, and others. The company 



(1) Data on the Braddock Lumber Company obtained from Mr. William Mc- 
Collum. 

(2) Data on Braddock Works of the American Steel & Wire Company, U. S. 
Steel Corporation, secured from Mr. F. B. Hill, Manager. 



90 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

has offices in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and pro- 
duces metal lath and concrete reinforcement at the rate of about 14,000 
yards of lath and 100,000 feet of reinforcement daily at Rankin. 

The original plant was erected about 1890 by Harvey B. Chess 
and Walter Chess, who removed a steel plant they had on the South Side 
to Rankin. Originally a puddling furnace was installed and a few plates 
rolled, but this business was soon abandoned. The original plant was 
erected on part of the A. Hayes estate, and has steadily grown since its 
inception, until now it employs from 100 to 150 men in the Rankin plant 
alone. 111 

The original Price & Alman Lumber Company began business a 
little before the above firm began operations, Joseph Price starting a 
lumber business on Corey Avenue, Braddock, about 1887. In 1897 Samuel 
R. Alman entered the firm and the business was moved to its present loca- 
tion. Th? firm now employs about thirty men, runs a first class planing 
mill, and does an extensive general lumber business. (2) 

Another Braddock lumber firm that has reached a ripe age is 
McBride Brothers, which started in 1892 on an acre of ground purchased 
from Chess Bros., and has continued to the present day putting out high 
grade planing mill products. From 1892 to 1913 the firm consisted of 
M. J. McBride and E. F. McBride, and from 1913 to date has consisted 
of H. E. McBride, W. J. McBride, and C. J. McBride. The equipment of 
the plant at this writing consists of individual motor drive for the usual 
planing mill machinery, such as moulder, rip saw, cut-off saw, shaper, 
drum sander, scroll saw, surfacer, joiner, etc. (3) 

A brick company that is one of the landmarks of Braddock, its plant 
lying high up on the bluff overlooking the Edgar Thomson Works, is the 
Keller & Milliken firm. They began operations in April, 1894, at the 
foot of Eighth Street, Braddock, moving in 1899 to the present location in 
North Braddock. The firm at present consists of John J. Keller and 
Homer A. Milliken, carries about 25 men, and produces from three to 
four million high grade brick per year. (4) 

Another firm which does business on quite a large scale is the 
Crown Wall Plaster Company, (M built in 1897 on ground purchased from 



(1) Data obtained froom P. F. Chess, Pittsburgh office, and from E. T. Red- 
ding, Manager of the Braddock plant. 

(2) Data obtained from Joseph Price. 

('■'•) Data secured from office of the company. 

(4) Data obtained from Mr. John J. Keller. 

<■">) Data from Mr. Wesley B. Holmes, President of the firm. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 91 

E. R. Dowler. W. M. Holmes, original president of the company, died 
January 18, 1916, when Wesley B. Holmes was elected to that office. The 
present plant has a capacity of 100 tons of hard wall plaster per day, and 
runs a factory 25 x 200 feet. They do business on both a retail and car- 
load basis. 

A Braddock enterprise that is now almost twenty years old is the 
Braddock Manufacturing Company, originally known as the Braddock 
Machine and Manufacturing Company. The plant was constructed in 
1898 and 1899. The first stockholders' meeting was held November 2, 
1899, in the office of Attorney Joseph F. Mayhugh, at which the following 
members were present: — 

Henry Stanyon, James Sloss, 

Jno. B. Miller, R. V. Miller, 

Henry Gauermann. Jos. F. Mayhugh. 

The meeting voted the incorporation of the Braddock Machine & 
Manufacturing Company with a capital of $3,000. John D. Miller was 
elected the first President and Henry Stanyon, Secretary and Treasurer, 
at the same meeting. 

On December 21, 1899, the capital stock was increased to $200,000 
and we are informed that John Hutzen, James A. Russell, S. D. Hamil- 
ton, W. A. Kulp, Dr. G. E. Bair, Dr. Meals, William Howatt, John Rinard 
and Benj. Braznell, were prominent stockholders of the enlarged company. 

In January, 1902, W. E. Corey, A. R. Peacock, D. M. Clemson, 
Thomas Morrison, and Chas. E. Dinkey purchased practically all of the 
outstanding stock of this company, and again there was a reorganization. 
While the concern had previously been merely an iron foundry, the new- 
directors took steps at once to enlarge its capacity, and changed it to a 
steel foundry with a 20-ton Open Hearth Furnace, and many additional 
improvements throughout the machine shop. 

Succeeding presidents of the firm were: — 

John D. Miller, 

A. R. Peacock, 

R. G. Morrison, 

On August 22, 1916, the old management was in turn bought out 
by a new company of which W. E. Troutman is President, R. W. Tener, 
Secretary and Treasurer, and F. B. McConnell, Manager. The new man- 
agement has added a 20-ton O. H. Furnace to the equipment, making two 
20-ton furnaces in all, and has installed many other improvements 
throughout the plant. The plant consists of a machine shop, foundry, 



92 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

and office building, and employs from 250 to 300 men. The firm is now 
capitalized at $300,000, and is capable of doing a business of a million and 
a half dollars annually. It is is known as the Braddock Manufacturing 
Company, producing high grade machinery and steel castings. (1 > 

One of the minor industries of the preceding era of development 
was the Baker Chain Wagon Manufacturing Company, whose original 
plant was built at Rankin in 1899 on a 2-acre plot of ground, the first 
chief resident manager being David T. Robling, who held office until 1910. 
Another early plant, the Standard Chain Company, whose land adjoined 
the Baker Chain Company's, has since been bought out by the American 
Chain Company, Incorporated, the present manager being Mr. Noah L. 
McArthur. While the original plant produced only about 400 tons of 
wrought iron and steel chain per month, the American Chain Co., Inc., 
now puts out about 850 tons of chain, ship cables, shackles, and automo- 
bile forgings monthly. The plant is fully equipped with chain welding 
hammers, drop hammers, forging hammers, bull dozers, steam hammers, 
and testing machines of the most modern pattern. ,2 > 

One of the largest plants of the district is the Rankin plant of the 
McClintic Marshall Construction Company/ 3 ' employing in the neighbor- 
hood of a thousand men. No. 1 Shop was built in 1901, followed by Shop 
No. 2 in 1906. The Rankin plant occupies 20 acres of ground directly 
across the Monongahela river from the Homestead Steel Works. 

The two shops are duplicates of each other. The stock yard is 
about 150 feet wide and 1,000 feet long, traversed by four electric travel- 
ing cranes of 10 and 20 tons capacity. A large stock of material is kept 
constantly on hand to facilitate deliveries, and the company, being the 
largest independent manufacturer and erector of bridges and buildings in 
the United States, is known all over the country. 

Each main shop building is 280 feet wide by 600 feet long, equipped 
with 20 electric traveling cranes, ranging from 5 to 30 tons capacity, which 
handle the work from the time it enters the shop until it leaves by the rail- 
road. The punching, milling, reaming, and shearing machinery, all elec- 
trically driven, is the best obtainable, and the equipment throughout is 
thoroughly modern in every respect. In the main shop girders up to 90 
tons in weight can be loaded on cars. 



(1) Data secured from J. E. Mitchell, secretary to Mr. Thomas Morrison, and 
from the office of the present firm. 

(2) Data from Mr. Noah L. Arthur, Local Manager of the American Chain 
Co., Inc. 

(3) Data obtained from G. L. Taylor, Assistant Chief Engineer, Oliver 
Building, Pittsburgh. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 93 

The Company's general offices are on the first floor of a three-story 
office building, while on the second and third stories are 110 draughtsmen. 
The Rankin officials of the plant are as follows:— E. W. Pittman, Mana- 
ger; R. A. Pendergrass, Engineer; K. M. McHose, Assistant Manager; H. 
B. Charles, Purchasing Agent; E. J. Patterson, Assistant Treasurer; C. 
0. Miller, Auditor; E. A. Gibbs, Manager of Erection. 

The Sterling Steel Foundry* 1 ) is one of the newest of Braddock's 
enterprises, being constructed in 1901 by the Sterling Steel Foundry' 2 ' on 
2i/ 2 acres purchased from Samuel Dempster. While the original plant 
produced but 1,000 tons per month, it now puts out 1,500 tons monthly of 
high grade steel castings. The plant employs about 300 men, and has a 
present size of 400 x 250 feet. Mr. Geo. W. Smith is President, other 
executives being: — 

Wm. Nease, Vice President, 

H. G. Smith, Treasurer, 

M. A. Quinn, Secretary. 

G. J. Chandler, Sales Manager, 

D. B. Webb, Superintendent, 

R. T. Mullett, Assistant Manager. 
The equipment of the present plant is as follows : — 

Two 20-ton Open Hearth furnaces. 

One 30-ton crane. 

One 20-ton crane. 

Three 10-ton cranes. 

Three 5-ton cranes. 

In a fuller history of the town, attention would have to be given 
to the work of the many contractors who have built the town, and such a 
review would give in detail the accomplishments of such men as George 
Hogg, F. F. Schellenberg, W. S. Husband, T. A. Gillespie, and of the 
Hodder Construction Company and the Melcher Bros. While space is en- 
tirely lacking to recite the histories of these firms, their accomplishments 
are always before our eyes; their work is itself a silent but impressive 
monument. 

One of the latest industries of this thriving little city is The Pitts- 
burgh Machine Tool Company, which erected its present plant in 1910 



(1) Information obtained from M. A. Quinn, Secretary, and Geo. \V. Smith, 
President. 

(2) Uriah Tinker and Harry E. Wainwright. 



94 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

on a plot of ground 100 x 200 feet purchased from the Dawes Manufac- 
turing Company. The Company was capitalized at $250,000, having 
originally been located on the Pittsburgh North Side, and moved to the 
present location in May, 1911. 

The plant contains a thoroughly modern and up to date equipment 
of machine tools, such as lathes, planers, shapers, milling machines, gear 
cutters, etc., and turns out engine lathes, 26 inch, to 48 inch swing, and 
Curtis Rotary Pumps to the value of about $300,000 annually. The com- 
pany employs about 100 men. F. J. Curtis is President and Manager of 
the present organization, Frank Moore, Vice President, and E. L. Taggart, 
Secretary-Treasurer. 

All in all, the industries of Braddock are such as would be the 
boast of many a prouder and more populous city. For every man, woman, 
and child within her gates she produces daily more than a thousand 
pounds of commercial metal. Her products encircle the globe, and lie in 
every land under every flag. On ships, on boats, on automobiles, aero- 
planes, or trains — however you go and wherever you go, there will you 
find the workmanship of this busy little city. 

Far indeed is the Braddock of today from the Braddock of 1850. 
Silent is the kingfisher and the bobolink, and gone are the green fields, the 
shady groves, and running brooks. For the spirit of Braddock is a virile 
spirit. Impatient and afire with energy, she shook off the soft Arcadian 
mantle that nature had thrown about her and descended into the dust 
and blood of the commercial arena, only to arise, nobler than before, with 
the standard of steel supremacy in her grimy hand. 

Not without pain and privation, travail and unceasing effort has 
she scattered her trademark all over the earth. She knows no rest; her 
mills and furnaces never sleep, the city's natural life is a spasm of human 
effort, and the thunder of her forges marks her heart beats. All day the 
clang of steel assails the ear, and at night a hundred lurid flames set up the 
pillar of fire that is the core of Pittsburgh's steel district, itself the steel 
center of the world. 

Not steel or iron has made industrial Braddock, but brains and 
energy. With these qualities she ha:; endowed her sons, — these and sub- 
lime courage. For, like a Spartan mother, she is a stern teacher. Those 
that chain the fiery monster, liquid steel, work in the Valley of the Shadow, 
and learn to look unflinching into the mouth of hell. But such a school 
makes men — Jones, Schwab, Gayley, Morrison, Kennedy, Kerr, the Dinkey 
boys, Unger, Farrell, Knox, — of such caliber are her graduates. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 95 

To the stranger within her gates, her diadem appears at night in 
the crescent of a thousand blazing arcs that light her famous industries. 
But those near the heart of Mother Braddock know that she forgets her 
glory that is of electricity, steel or gold, and pointing to her sons, says, 
like Cornelia,* 1 ' "These are my jewels." 



(1) Daughter of Seipio Africanus the elder, and mother of the Gracchi. 



96 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

EDGAR THOMSON STEEL WORKS. 

In the decade following the Civil War came the greatest period of 
business development this country has ever had, and a variety of causes 
combined to focalize this prosperity on Western Pennsylvania, the coal 
and iron center of the country. 

During that disastrous conflict the price of iron had leaped from 
$18 to $73.60 a ton, and within six years of the surrender at Appomatox, 
the railroad mileage of the country had doubled in a gigantic business re- 
action. At the same period came the development of the Connellsville 
coke region under H. C. Frick, the first stirring of the natural gas industry 
in this section, and the introduction in America of the cheap and efficient 
Bessemer process for making steel.' u Iron rails in this period sold for as 
high as $100 a ton, and a ton of steel rails brought $175 in gold.' 2 ' 

These favoring conditions gave a great impetus to the iron and 
steel business of the Pittsburgh district, and it is not surprising to find 
that brilliant and successful Pittsburgh ironmaster, William Coleman, (3 > 
greatly interested in the new Bessemer process. As early as 1867, in fact, 
we find him endeavoring to interest his associates in the manufacture of 
steel rails. 

When Andrew Carnegie himself, in the summer of 1872, saw how 
easily and cheaply the new Bessemer rails were made in Europe, he rushed 
back to Pittsburgh filled with enthusiasm for a Bessemer rail plant of his 
own. An option was immediately secured on 107 acres of land at Brad- 
dock along the Monongahela river,< 4 > and late in 1872 work was com- 
menced on a wharf to handle the river freight. On January 1, 1873, the 
deal was completed when William Coleman purchased, for himself and as- 



(1) William Kelly, born August 11, 1812, Pittsburgh, Pa., died February 11, 
1888, Louisville, Ky., father of John G. Kelly, President, Braddock National Bank, 
made Bessemer steel at Eddyville, Ky., as early as 1847. One of his early converters is 
still extant with the date "1857" painted thereon. Sir Henry Bessemer made Bessemer 
steel in 1855. Kelly used the process at a factory at Wyandotte, Michigan, in 1863. 
A. L. Holley, a world famous engineer and steel plant promoter, introduced Sir Henry 
Bessemer's process at Troy, N. Y., in 1865, and at this period came the greatest pub- 
licity and expansion of the process. The Bessemer process was further developed by 
Mushet, Holley, Captain Jones, Reese, Gilchrist, and Thomas. 

(2) Iron Age— August 16, 1883. 

(3) A successful iron rail manufacturer and real estate speculator. A pioneer 
in the Pittsburgh iron industry. Later became the father-in-law of Thomas Carnegie. 

(4) Which land was right on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, quite near the 
Pennsylvania Railroad, and also on the Monongahela, thus having the best transporta- 
tion facilities obtainable. 




ANI1KEW C'AIINKCIK. 



98 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

sociates, 61.7 acres of ground from Robert McKinney' 1 * and 45 acres 
from John McKinney, <-> at a total cost of $219,003.30. On this ground 
was built the world-famous Edgar Thomson Steel Works. 

The firm for the operation of the proposed plant was regularly or- 
ganized on January 13, 1873, the partners and various stock holdings be- 
ing as follows : 

Andrew Carnegie _. $250,000 

William Coleman 100,000 

Andrew Kloman 50,000 

Henry Phipps 50,000 

David McCandless 50,000 

Wm. P. Shinn 50,000 

John Scott ... 50,000 

David A. Stewart 50,000 

Thomas Carnegie 50,000 

CAPITAL STOCK $700,000 

This firm was known as Carnegie, McCandless & Company, and 
from motives of diplomacy they named the new plant after J. Edgar 
Thomson, President of the Pennsylvania Railroad at the time. A. L. 
Holley, one of the most prominent steel mill engineers in the world, was 
secured to design the new plant. Some of his original prints are still in 
existence in the Edgar Thomson drawing room. Phineas Barnes, who had 
just built the Joliet plant, was commissioned to superintend the erection, 
and accordingly may be called the first General Superintendent of the 
Edgar Thomson Works. 

Early in 1873 the work on the wharf had been completed, under 
Chief Carpenter Ben Tuttle, and ground for the works proper was broken 
April 13, 1873, most of the grading and excavating being done under the 
supervision of Contractor Hughes and Messrs. Collins, Shoemaker, Syd 
Perry, and Thomas Cosgrove. The brickwork was originally let to a Mr. 



(1) The present site of Furnaces "A", "B", "C", and "D", and the old Con- 
verting and Rail Mills. 

(2) Site of the present blast furnaces "E", "F", "G", "H", "I", "J", and "K", 
and extending in a narrow strip along the west side of the Robert McKinney purchase 
to the Pennsylvania Railroad. 




J. EDGAR THOMSON. 



100 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

Miller from Bellevue, but at an early date this contract was cancelled and 
an employee, Thomas Addenbrook, (1 > given full supervision. 

The business boom of the country, however, suddenly collapsed in 
1873, <'-> and the new steel mill project seriously threatened to follow suit. 
In this emergency, however, they succeeded in floating a $200,000 issue 
of bonds, which tided them over the crisis, and construction operations, 
which had ceased altogether for about ten days, gradually resumed, al- 
though not with much impetus until 1874. 

In this same year (1873) Morrell, President of the Cambria Iron 
Works, promoted Daniel N. Jones over the head of Captain William R. 
Jones, (who was really next in line for that honor) to the superintendency 
of that plant. "A prophet is not without honor save in his own country." 
Morrell had known Jones for years, and in his eyes he was still an irre- 
sponsible youth. Bitterly resenting this slight, Captain Jones resigned, 
and in August, 1873, came to Edgar Thomson as master mechanic, inci- 
dentally breaking up the entire Cambria organization, and bringing with 
him a nucleus of devoted fellow workers' 3 ' who were experienced steel 
men, and made the new plant the success that it was. 

Two early Braddock firms aided materially in the construction of 
the early plant: the McVay Walker Foundry (built 1862) made many of 
the smaller castings, and James McCrady did a great deal of the hauling. 

On the completion of the plant, the contract of Phineas Barnes ex- 
pired, and Captain William R. Jones was appointed General Superin- 
tendent, 

The first blow was made at the Converting Works August 26, 187-5, 



(1) This genial, charitable, Christian gentleman was one of the true pioneers of 
the Edgar Thomson plant. He recently resigned after 40 years of service. He has, 
during all his life, been a devoted supporter of religious work, and is one of the most 
broad minded and tolerant men in that field today. In this work he kindly gave me 
every aid. 

(2) A great outlay of capital had been used in re-building Chicago, burned 
down in 1871, also a great Boston fire occurred in 1872. Again, a quarrel between the 
farmers and the western railroads stopped the sale of railroad bonds and hurt the 
banks concerned in railroad building. Jay Cooke & Co., New York bankers, failed in 
September, 1873, and in that year there were 5,000 failures, and in 1874, 5,800. 

(3) Among others: Thos. James, D. L. Miller, Noah Hutzen, Hiram Hutzen, 
Capt. Lapsly, Wm. Lapsly, John Noey, John Rinard, Jno. Little, F. L. Bridges, C. C. 
Teeter, Robt, Morris, John Frederick. 




THOMAS ADDENBROOK. 



102 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

and the first rail rolled, with impressive ceremonies, September 1, 1875. "> 
The plant of which Captain Jones was now to take charge is de- 
scribed by the old Allegheny Chronicle as follows : — 

"A two-5-ton-converter plant and rail mill with nominal capacity 
of 225 tons daily. Cupola house 107 x 44 x 46 ft. high. Converter house 
129 x 84 x 30 feet high. House for blowing engines 54 x 48 x 36 ft. high. 
Boiler house 178 x 40 x 18 ft. high. Producer house 90 x 46 x 26 feet high, 
artificial gas being used to heat the furnaces. The rail mill itself is 
380 x 100 x 25 ft. high, with a wing (Blooming Mill) 100 x 35 x 17 ft. 
high. Office and shop building 200 x 60 x 18 ft. high, with a coal and iron 
building 40 x 20 x 10 ft. high. The producer house and rail mill have iron 
side columns with timber side framing, all others being entirely of brick." 
For these little 5-ton converters A. L. Holley invented the re- 
movable converter bottom, vastly prolonging the converter's usefulness. 
The Blooming Mill was a 32-inch mill, run by Mackintosh-Hemphill en- 
gines. In the boiler house were 20 cylinder boilers with two large flues 
passing through the center about 25 feet long. The rail mill was a "three- 
high" 23-inch, hook-and-tong mill, operated by a 46 x 48" engine. At the 
stands were six men, three on each side, who with hooks suspended from 
above, caught the rail when it passed through and lifted it to the next 



(1) The Edgar Thomson plant was not, as is sometimes erroneously supposed, a 
pioneer steel plant in America. In 1875 the country had about a dozen Bessemer 
plants, producing almost 400,000 tons of Bessemer steel annually. Regarding the steel 
business in the Pittsburgh district, I quote the following from Mr. George Stevens 
Page, manager of the Park Works of the Crucible Steel Company of America: 

"In 1813 Tupper & McKowan operated the first 'blister steel' furnace in Pitts- 
burgh. It did not prove a success. 

"In 1841 Patrick and James Dunn made 'blister steel' for J. H. Schoenberger. 
The business was unsuccessful, and was abandoned in a year or two. About the same 
time Tingle & Sugden began making cast steel on a small scale for their own use for 
files. Not a success. 

"In 1845 Jones & Quigg began making 'blister steel' for springs and plows. 
About the same time Coleman, Hailman & Company started making 'blister steel' for 
the same purpose. 

"From about 1844 most of the manufacturers of puddled iron made 'blister 
steel', but Jones & Quigg, and Coleman, Hailman & Company were the only two estab- 
lishments that could then be classed as 'steel works.' Both these firms tried to make 
cast steel but failed to make a success of it. 

"In 1848 Singer-Nimick & Company engaged in making 'blister steel' and in 1853 
took up the manufacture of cast steel for saws and agricultural implements, and in- 
creased their plant to make the finer grades of tool steels. 

"What was known as 'blister steel' was made from puddled iron by packing the 
iron bars between layers of charcoal in a retort furnace and heating up the retort for 
a week or more, the wrought iron absorbing the Carbon. This product might well have 
been called 'carbonized wrought iron.' 

"The 'cast steel' referred to was steel melted in a crucible and cast into moulds 
as is done today, producing crucible steel ingots. 

"From all appearances, Singer-Nimick & Company in 1853 were the first to suc- 
ceed in making crucible cast steel in Pittsburgh, the attempts of other parties at earlier 
dates having been without success." 



104 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

pass (it was a positive roll train, horizontal construction). There were 
twelve to fourteen rail passes in all. The hot saws were operated by a 
14 x 24" engine. There were four straightening presses, and four drill 
presses operated by a 12 x 20" engine. Two cold saws were operated by 
an 11 x 20" engine. 

We must pause to note a change in the name of the concern, even 
before this plant commenced operation. The panic prompted the Pennsyl- 
vania legislature to pass an act in 1874 authorizing the formation of lim- 
ited liability companies. In the failure of Andrew Kloman, a member of 
the original firm, his partners saw the dangers of the existing contract, 
and accordingly on October 12, 1874, the firm of Carnegie, McCandless & 
Company dissolved into the Edgar Thomson Steel Company, Limited, capi- 
tal $1,000,000, which purchased the new plant for $631,250.43 and as- 
sumed a mortgage thereon of $201,000. From an old catalogue, whose 
date I have placed at 1877, we find the organization of this firm to have 
been as follows: — 



MEMBERS. 

A. Carnegie, of Carnegie, Bro. & Co., 57 Broadway, New York. 

John Scott, President, A. V. R. R. Co., Pittsburgh, Pa. 

D. McCandless, Vice Pres., Exchange Nat. Bank, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

D. A. Stewart, Pres. Pgh. Loco. & Car Works, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

Thos. M. Carnegie, Treas., Keystone Bridge Co., Pittsburgh, Pa. 

H. Phipps, Jr., Treas., Lucy Furnace Co., Pittsburgh, Pa. 

Wm. P. Shinn, V. P., A. V. R. R. Co., Pittsburgh, Pa. 



MANAGERS. 

D. McCandless, Chairman. 

John Scott, Thomas M. Carnegie, D. A. Stewart, 

Wm. P. Shinn, Secretary and Treasurer. 



OPERATING OFFICERS. 

Wm. P. Shinn, General Manager, 
Capt. Wm. R. Jones, Gen'l Supt. Capt. Thos. H. Lapsly, Supt. Rail Mill. 




CAPTAIN JONES. 




JULIAN KKNNKDY. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 107 

ADMINISTRATION OF CAPTAIN WILLIAM R. JONES. (1 > 

Here must have been a remarkable man. After a lapse of almost 30 
years his aging employees still glow with pleasure at the mention of his 
name, and the most calm and philosophic of them flush with resentment 
at the suggestion that he could have had a fault. The whole world, in fact, 
seems leagued together to give this man a title of nobility "which it will 
forever defend." 

Frankly admitted on all sides is the fact that Jones had a fiery 
temper. Beyond that, the most cynical, the most philosophic of his men 
utterly refuse to say one word that is not complimentary to the dead lion, 
and the conscientious historian can do nothing but record eulogy on eulogy. 

His remarkable hold on the hearts of men originated in his physical 
and moral courage. Physically he was absolutely fearless, and morally he 
had the courage to give expression to every good impulse of his soul ; to 
give freely and generously on every impulse, undeterred by fear of unto- 
ward consequences or accusations of partiality ; likewise, he had the cour- 
age to confess his error when he was wrong, to apologize to the humblest of 
his men when he thought he had erred, and under any circumstances, to do 
or say whatever he thought at the moment to be right. 

He was a great lover of sports, and in encouraging them estab- 
lished a tradition for his office which has ever since obtained. On the old 
race track (now the Union R. R. yard) he and C. C. Teeter and others of- 
ten had horse races, and the Captain was himself a stockholder in the old 
Pittsburgh Base Ball Club. 

One of the greatest mechanical geniuses of his time, (2) and a born 
leader of men, he was a most fortunate head for the young plant to secure. 



(1) Born in Luzerne Co., Pa., Feb. 2.'!, 1839. At age of ten apprenticed to Crane 
Iron Co. at Catasauqua, Pa., foundry and machine shop. At 1G regular journeyman 
machinist. Next to William Millens Machine Shop, Jeanesville, Pa. In 1856 went to 
I. P. Morris & Company's Philadelphia shops as machinist. In the panic of 1857. farm 
hand and lumberman at Tyrone. In 1859, machinist at Cambria Ii-on Works, Johns- 
town, and in the same year went to Chattanooga, Tenn., assisting in erection of blast 
furnace, where he married Miss Harriet Lloyd. In 1861 machinist with Cambria Iron 
Co. In 1862 volunteered on Lincoln's call, enlisting as private in 133d Reg. P. V. Pro- 
moted to corporal. Captain of Company F, 194th Reg. P. V. Was in battles of Fred- 
ericksburg and Chancellorsville. In 1865 returned to Cambria as Assistant General 
Superintendent. Resigned August, 1873. 

There was a quiet rivalry between Jones and Barnes for the Edgar Thomson 
Superintendency, but Jones secured the appointment. 

(2) Patented device for operating ladles in Bessemer process; improvement in 
hose couplings; fastenings for Bessemer converters; washers for ingot moulds; hot 
beds for bending rails; machine for sawing metal bars; apparatus for compressing 
ingots while casting; ingot mould; cooling roll journals and shafts; feeding appliance 
for rolling mills; gas furnace for boilers; appliance for rolls; housing caps for rolls; 
and the famous Jones Mixer, an "apparatus and method for mixing molten Pig Metal." 



108 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

On the operating staff of Captain Jones were the following men : — 
Engineers and Chief Draughtsmen : Jno. Stevenson, Jr., Simon C. Collin, 
Win. I. Mann, P. T. Berg, and C. M. Schwab, C. E.; Blast Furnaces, Julian 
Kennedy,' >> J. Cremer, James Gayley; Furnace Master Mechanic, Rich. 
Stevens; Mill Master Mechanic, Thos. James; Electrician, Wm. R. Pierce; 
Superintendent Boilers, John Noey; Converting Works, John Rinard and 
H. W. Benn ; Carpenter, Geo. Nimon ; Transportation and Labor, F. L. 
Bridges and Thos. Cosgrove; Chief Clerk, C. C. Teeter; Roll Designer, 
Robert Morris ; Rail Mills, Capt. Thos. H. Lapsly and John Hutzen ; Fin- 
ishing Department, John Frederick; Secretary, W. E. Gettys; Masonry, 
Thos. Addenbrook; Chief Chemists: A. J. Preusse, S. A. Ford, H. C. Tor- 
rance, Albert DeDeken. 

During that September the young plant put out 1,119 tons of rails, 
at a cost of $57 per ton. The very first rails sold for $80 a ton, but the 
average price for the month netted $66.50 f. o. b. ,2 > works, making a profit 
for the firm of $10,630.50 at the very start. By the end of the year the 
rail profits amounted to $41,970. During 1876 they made $181,000 and in 
1877, $190,379. 

The profits of the young concern would have been even larger but 
for the steadily decreasing price brought by steel rails : — 

1873 $120 per ton 

1874 100 per ton 

1875 70 per ton 

1876 -- 58 per ton 

1877 — — 45 per ton 

1878 42 per ton 

With such a falling market, the ingenuity of Jones was taxed to the 
utmost, and the economy of Shinn and Phipps exerted to the full. It 
was at this time, in fact, that Wm. P. Shinn, General Manager, introduced 
the exact cost keeping system, which, perfected by Phipps, has obtained 
ever since. Only by constant invention and improvement could Jones keep 
operating costs below the falling market prices, for you will note that the 
selling price of rails in 1877 was $12 below the cost of producing those 
rails in 1875. As early as 1877, therefore, we find Jones making marked 
improvements at the mill, one of which was an automatic roller table, 
operated by a single man, to displace the hook and tong men at the stands. 



(1) Mr. Kennedy was at E. T. Works from 1879 to 1883. 

(2) "Free on board cars at " 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 109 

The longest rail rolled in ordinary practice was 40 feet, although 
at the Centennial of 1876 the young plant had a 90-foot rail on exhibition. 

We come now to the next great period of development at the plant. 
While blooms for the rail mill were secured sometimes from Cambria and 
occasionally even from England, most of the pig iron came from Lucy 
Furnaces. All of the Edgar Thomson firm were not interested in Lucy's 
welfare, and hence discussions arose as to the proper price Edgar Thom- 
son should pay for pig iron. Furthermore, under the direction of Captain 
Jones, the plant was rapidly proving itself a most profitable venture, and 
the success of the Lucy project was very enticing. From these considera- 
tions it was therefore decided to erect a blast furnace plant at Edgar 
Thomson, and the campaign started in 1879 under the supervision of Mr. 
Julian Kennedy. Andrew Kloman, one of the original partners, had 
failed, and a small charcoal furnace which he had built at Escanaba was 
purchased for $16,000 or so and transported to Braddock, where it became 
the old 65 x 15 ft. Furnace "A." (1) This furnace was blown in January 
4, 1880,< 2) and on her first lining produced an average of 56 tons daily, 
with about 2,650 pounds coke to the ton of iron. Mr. Richard Stevens, who 
had come to the plant in March, 1875, was given the position of Master 
Mechanic at the new Furnace Department, and ably assisted in making it 
a success. 

A second furnace, "B", was blown in April 2, 1880, and the third 
furnace of the group, the "C", November 6, 1880. Furnace "B" in her 
first year produced an average of 5,500 tons per month on 2,570 pounds 



(1) The "A", "B", and "C" Furnaces were constructed (according to Mr. Ad- 
denbrook) from drawings and plans furnished by the Philadelphia branch of Chas. 
Cochran & Company, an English concern. 

The "A", "B", and "C" engines were built by Mackintosh, Hemphill & Company, 
of Pittsburgh. Originally they had 32" steam cylinders, 84" air cylinders, and 48" 
stroke. The shaft was 12" in diameter and crank pins 6", and engines were built for a 
maximum pressure of 7 pounds. There was one engine room with six blowing engines, 
and one pump house with three Worthington 3,500,000-gallon duplex pumps. 

(2) The first furnace was lit by Captain Jones' daughter, Cora, and this pretty 
custom has been generally followed ever since. For some inscrutable reason 
what sentiment there is in the steel business seems to converge on the grim and fairly 
silent blast furnace. The far more impressive converter is ignored. Many blast fur- 
naces received affectionate titles, such as "Carrie," "Edith," "Lucy," "Isabella," 
"Mary," Alice," etc. 



110 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

coke to the ton of iron, and the "C" Furnace produced similar results.* 1 ) 
Labor was cheap/-' and improvements came rapidly, and by 1881 
the new plant had cleared $2,690,157.57 and its prosperity remained un- 
checked. During that year the rapid growth of the steel industry justi- 
fied further expansion, and on April 1st, Carnegie Bros. & Co., as the firm 
was now called, (3) purchased 26 acres from Wm. Martin and wife, cov- 
ering part of the present Open Hearth site and the Union Railroad yard 
tracks. In that year a Blooming Mill was erected, being enlarged to 36" 
size, followed in 1882 by a new converting works. Plans were also drawn 
for a new General Office building, and in the spring of 1882 the Captain 
at last took a well earned vacation and went to Europe, an experience 
which we may imagine he enjoyed to the full. 

The corner stone of the present general office building was laid 
May 27, 1882, and from the papers found therein we learn that even at 
that early date the Amalgamated Association, a labor union, was having 
trouble with the manufacturers, although it did not develop into anything 
serious for years later. 

In England, Captain Jones, who was such a common, every-day, fig- 
ure on Braddock streets, where he would stroll along eating peanuts 
(which often cost him 25 or 50c a package — "no change, thank you,") — 
in England, this man was greeted as a marvel and a genius. What he had 
accomplished in production had astonished the British manufacturers and 
revolutionized the steel industry. The profits of the Braddock plant had 
rolled up enormously, and already repaid in full the original investment : — 



(1) "B & C" were 20 ft. diameter of bosh, 80 ft. high. They had eight stoves, 
six being 75 x 20 and two 75 x 21 ft. 

(2) Boys, 50c daily; general laborers, $1.20 and $1.30; blacksmith, $2, helper, 
$1.40; machinist, $2.25, helper, $1.40; carpenter, $2.10; bricklayer, $1.30; heater, $100 
monthly; roller, $120; spiegel melter, $85; vesselman, $90. 

(3) David McCandless, first chairman of the Company, died in 1879, and Wm. 
P. Shinn, General Manager, expected to succeed him. Thos. M. Carnegie, however, 
was elected. Shinn was bitterly disappointed, and at this time became involved in legal 
tangles with the other partners, finally resigning from the company. Consequently, a 
new firm was organized April 1, 1881, Carnegie Bros. & Company, Ltd., capital $5,- 
000,000, the stock being divided as follows: — 

Andrew Carnegie $2,737,977.05 

Thos. M. Carnegie 878,096.58 

Henrv Phipps 878,096.58 

Dav. ' A. Stewart 175,318.78 

John Scott 175,318.78 

Gardiner McCandless 105,191.00 

J. W. Vandervort 50,000.00 

Although frequently invited, Jones was never a stockholder. He once told the execu- 
tive officers, "Oh, pay me a h — 1 of a salary and let it go at that." His request was 
generously met for he received $50,000 a year. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. Ill 

1875 -- -- ----- $ 41,970 

1876 - 181,007 

1877 ----- 190,379 

1878 - 250,000 

1879 -- 401,800 

1880 -- 1,625,000 

5-1 3 Years — -~ $2,690,156 

Meanwhile the blast furnace development continued, Furnace "D" 
being blown in April 19, 1882,<>> "E" June 27, 1882,<-> "F" October 7, 1886, 
and "G", June 20, 1887. (!) On April 1, 1887, an addition to the plant was 
purchased from John McKinney, 21 acres in all, covering the site of the 
present No. 3 Mill and Splice Bar department. 

Just as the early steel makers gave their lives to the development 
of the young plant, so did their families abandon their very homes to its 
encroaching progress. About where the electric shop now stands, two 
rows of ten houses each had been built in 1876 and across the old road was 
another row of houses where No. 3 Mill now is. Four fine brick houses 
were built in 1882 on the site of the present "J" and "K" furnaces, and at 
different times were occupied by Julian Kennedy, Richard Stevens, Thom- 
as Cosgrove, C. M. Schwab, C. C. Teeter, Morgan Harris, Michael Killeen, 
and Thos. James. These houses now began to be too close to the smoke 
and dirt of the works for the comfort of the occupants, and row by row 
they went down, the last ones, at the Furnace Department, being destroyed 
in 1890. (Capt. Jones himself lived in the house now occupied by Mr. A. 
E. Maccoun). 

In September, 1888, Jones' greatest invention, the "Jones Mixer," 
125 tons capacity, was placed in operation. The iron from all the furnaces 
is poured into this mixer, and thus uniform iron is supplied to the con- 
verters. The patent on this mixer was successfully defended by the Steel 
Corporation in 1905, and the idea has been used in all the steel plants of 
the world. 



(1) The "A, B & C" engines had proved inadequate, so the "D & E" engines 
were built, for a maximum air pressure of 12 pounds. They also became inadequate 
for the work required, so the steam cylinders were changed to 40" diameter. These 
engines were built by Robinson & Rea, of Pittsburgh. Here were six engines for two 
furnaces, 40 x 84 x 48" stroke, 12" shaft and 6" crank pins. 

(2) The "D & E" furnaces were 23 ft. diameter of bosh and 80 ft. high. They 
had six stoves each 78% x 21 ft. and one Whitwell stove 78 x 20 ft. Cast houses were 
54 x 180 ft. 

(3) The "F & G" were 22 ft. diameter of bosh and 80 ft. high. Thev had seven 
stoves, 78 V 2 x 21 ft. Cast houses 55 x 160 ft. Five 40 x 84 x 60" stroke blowing 
engines. 



112 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

The plant up to this time had been under the control of labor or- 
ganizations. The Amalgamated Association broke up in 1884, only to be 
succeeded by the Knights of Labor. The plant had been run on an eight- 
hour basis, and when the company attempted to inaugurate a twelve-hour 
basis in 1887, trouble ensued. The men refused to sign the annual agree- 
ment, and a strike followed December 31, 1887, which continued until May 
12, 1888, the plant being entirely shut down except for the mechanical de- 
partment. When the men finally surrendered and signed the sliding scale 
inaugurated at that time (by which their pay, in many cases, varies with 
the selling price of the product) also accepting the 12-hour day, the back- 
bone of Union labor was broken in the Edgar Thomson mills. To C. C. 
Teeter much of the credit for this first sliding scale must be given. 

Captain Jones had often told the officials of his company that if 
they would only give him the chance he would build them a rail mill that 
was worthy of the name and would far surpass the old one that they had, 
and in 1887 he got his chance. In that year the new mill, now known as 
No. 1, was constructed, with every late improvement of the day installed, 
and the old mill was slated for the scrap heap. 

In the new mill the ordinary three high, positive roll train, run by 
a single engine, was divided into three trains, the first five passes being 
made in one three-high 24" train, the second five in a second three-high 
24" train, to which the first delivers directly, and the last finishing pass in 
a two-high train of 24" rolls. Each train is run by its own independent 
engine, the first and second being 46 x 60", and the third 30 x 48". This 
mill was nearly automatic, one man handling the levers which lift the 
tables, move the tumblers, etc. Each roll train had a hydraulic crane for 
changing rolls. From the bloom furnaces to the hot beds, the roll trains, 
tables, etc., were in one long, straight building 520 x 60 ft, the hot beds 
being in a wing at right angles to this. The straightening department was 
another long building 625 x 47 ft., parallel to the mill. The roll shop was 
in a wing 60 x 60 ft. on the north side of the roll trains. The steel de- 
partment got its steam from 70 boilers of various makes. The converters 
were also changed at this time to 10-ton capacity, to supply the increased 
demand for steel. 

Needless to say, the new mill was fully up to expectations, and in 
1889 the annual output of the plant in rails leaped to 277,401 tons. 

In that year, the last one of his life, the Captain placed a capstone 
on a life of charity and benevolence by his humane and vigorous efforts on 
the occasion of the Johnstown flood. As soon as word was received of this 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 113 

terrible disaster (May 30, 1889) he dispatched a trusted messenger to in- 
vestigate, and immediately upon receipt of reliable information he sys- 
tematized the collection of supplies which formed the first relief to 
come to the stricken people. He shortly assumed command of the Penn- 
sylvania Railroad workmen sent to Johnstown, and did heroic work in 
alleviation of the suffering of that devastated district. 

We come now to the close of this remarkable administration. Jones 
had taken a new and untried plant, built up an efficient organization, and 
made a name for the firm all over the commercial world. Just as he had 
erected the old G. A. R. monument on the hill above Braddock, so did he 
put Braddock itself on the world's map. 

On the night of September 26, 1889, Furnace "C" had been "hang- 
ing" for 36 hours, and Captain Jones, Schwab, Gayley, Addenbrook, and 
others were working around it. A workman was engaged in striking 
a bar inserted in the tapping hole, to open the furnace up, when Jones, dis- 
satisfied with his efforts, said, "Let me do it," as was his habitual expres- 
sion. Seizing the sledge he struck the bar, and at the same moment the fur- 
nace burst, its contents splashing over his head and shoulders. Springing 
quickly backward, the Captain struck his head, in falling, upon a modock 
cinder car. He never regained consciousness, and died in the Pittsburgh 
Homeopathic Hospital September 28, 1889. 

The whole community was appalled and the country shocked by the 
death of this famous character, and according to one historian a throng 
larger than the population of the town itself followed the casket to the 
grave. In this catastrophe more than one man saw the loss of his best 
friend and counsellor, and, filing past his departed leader cold in death, felt 
with Marc Antony, 

"My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar." 

ADMINISTRATION OF CHARLES M. SCHWAB.*" 

OCTOBER 1, 1889-SEPTEMBER 30, 1892. 

Under an able master had been trained and developed one of the 
greatest brains in the American steel industry. Starting in 1880 as stake 
driver on the engineer corps, (where he worked with a son of Captain 
Jones) C. M. Schwab's engineering ability and knowledge of men early 
gained attention, and by the time of Jones' death he had become Chief 
Engineer of the plant, and assistant to the Captain, having supervision 



(1) Born in Williamsburg, Pa., 1862. 



114 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

of the Homestead plant under that official. (The Homestead plant was 
under the direction of the Edgar Thomson General Superintendent up to 
October 1, 1892). He was, therefore, an experienced executive when he 
took charge of the Edgar Thomson establishment on the death of Jones. 

The historian is not a little puzzled by the conflicting descriptions 
that he receives of this man : some say he was a superlatively great en- 
gineer, others that he was not; some say he was a great inventor, others 
that he was not; some say he achieved a high technical development, others 
that he did not. But a man does not rise from stake driver to General 
Superintendent in nine years without some very good reason. 

The best analysis of his genius is, perhaps, as Mr. Wra. P. Bren- 
nan ,n expresses it: He was a great general. He had a true sense of pro- 
portion, an appreciation of the relative value of conflicting factors, a mind 
that could grasp the most complex situation, and last, but not least, he in- 
spired his men with confidence in him and his ability, had perfect 
knowledge of human nature, and absolute mastery over men. I believe 
that unskilled in military tactics as he was, Chas. M. Schwab could have 
assumed command of the Union armies during the Civil War and achieved 
as great success as Ulysses S. Grant, and incidentally I doubt if he would 
have wasted 10,000 men in 20 minutes at Cold Harbor. An intuitive 
grasp of essentials and consummate tact made him great. 

Schwab was (and is) a thorough going democrat to the very core. 
To William Powell (clerk to Thomas Addenbrook) he confides: "Do you 
know, I can hardly realize that here I am General Superintendent of this 
plant. Why should I be General Superintendent? What do I know so 
much more than you fellows about this business?" 

Of course, to his superior officers he turned quite a different side, 
and would blandly take credit for anything and everything that came 
along, but this democracy was real, and not an assumed trait of the man. 
Gold or titles have never confused or blurred his vision. To him, regard- 
less of wealth or title, every man is still just a human being whom he 
judges on his own intrinsic value as a man. 

He has the sensitive, visionary soul of a great artist, and his con- 
summate tact has arisen from his innate desire to see things "go smooth- 
ly.". He always hated "scenes," arguments, or disturbances of any kind. 
Only a few years ago I heard this lord of millions — yes hundreds of mil- 
lions — explain and apologize and explain again when he had unwittingly, 



(1) An old employee; now Accident Clerk at the works. 




CHARLES M. SCHWA):. 



116 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

by the good-natured use of a pet nickname, affronted a choleric old em- 
ployee of former days. Although, in the eyes of those present, Schwab had 
not been guilty of the slightest faux pas, he seemed exasperated to his very 
soul by an apparent blunder. For the man has perfect tact; he is an artist, 
and the instrument on which he plays is men. 

The band which he organized at the steel works is giving a con- 
cert, and standing in the crowd Schwab discovers a lady of mature years. 
He is distinctly annoyed by the discomfort so elderly a person must be in, 
and finally going out he invites her in, and gives her a chair. 

He is good-natured and big hearted : He and Cosgrove are passing 
through the mill, when a laboratory employee* 1 ' throws a snowball at one 
or the other which hits Schwab. Schwab's temper flames up, and the man 
immediately seeks employment elsewhere. However, the laboratory needs 
the man, and Cosgrove has the temerity to take the question up with 
Schwab. "Oh well, take him back, I don't care. But explain to the darn 
fool that I can't have every Tom, Dick and Harry on the plant firing snow- 
balls at me. Look how many thousand men there are here!" a true and 
just plea. 

The labor world is violently disturbed, and every now and then a 
committee of men comes up from the mill to demand higher wages. 
Schwab's first and only thought is to avoid a scene, or any rupture of 
harmony. He welcomes the men cordially, naturally, gracefully; he gives 
everyone a chair and passes around a box of fine cigars. There is in his 
manner no trace of superiority, hostility, or suspicion. He talks with the 
men about their work, their families, their hobbies, and relates jokes that 
occur to him. The men are pleased and rather surprised at the pleasant- 
ness of their visit. Time passes. The men mention their complaint in a 
casual way. Schwab listens to them courteously, sympathetically, and 
frankly explains the situation as man to man, not as employer to inferior. 
If he can do anything for them he promises to do it; if he can't, he ex- 
plains just why he can't. He inspires the confidence of the men, and they 
believe what he tells them. Shortly, taking another cigar, they file out to 
the accompaniment of cordial "good-byes." Frequently there has been no 
wage increase, but likewise, — and what is more important to Schwab — no 
unpleasantness. 

C. M. Schwab's operating staff consisted of the following men : — 
James Gayley, Superintendent Blast Furnaces; M. Killeen, Asst. Supt. 



(1) Edw. F. Shultz related this incident to me regarding himself the other day. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 117 

Furnaces; Thos. Cosgrove, Supt. Transportation; H. W. Benn, Supt. Con- 
verting Works; S. A. Ford, Chief Chemist; H. B. A. Keiser, Chief En- 
gineer; Rich. Stevens, Master Mechanic Blast Furnaces; Thos. James, 
Master Mechanic, Steel Department; Geo. Nimon and A. McWilliams, 
Foremen Carpenters; Conser McClure, Roll Designer; John Noey, Super- 
intendent Boilers; John Hutzen, T. H. Lapsly and D. L. Miller, Supt. 
Blooming and Rail Mills; C. C. Teeter, Chief Clerk; Thomas Addenbrook, 
Foreman Masonry; Roger Bowman, Supt. Finishing Department; Elec- 
trician, Wm. Pierce and C. M. Tolman ; Secretary, Otto Rhinehart. 

In 1890 the old Blooming Mill, with 36" three-high train (operated 
by 36 x 72" engine) was changed to a three-high 40" mill, C. Mercader be- 
ing the supervising engineer for that work. The plant at that time con- 
sumed about 25,000,000 gallons of water daily, and there were five main 
pumping stations. The Electric Light Plant (1) contained three Brush 
65-light dynamos, running about 175 arc lamps. Power was provided by 
three 11 x 22" Buckeye engines. There was a locomotive repair house 
measuring 54 x 124 feet, and whereas the original plant had had but one 
broad gauge and one narrow gauge locomotive for yard service, the plant 
now boasted 12 broad gauge and 14 narrow gauge locomotives. 

Meanwhile the development of the Blast Furnaces continued, two 
more blast furnaces being blown in: 

Furnace "H" February 27, 1890< 2 > 

Furnace "I" August 14, 1890 

The whole battery of blast furnaces produced, during Schwab's ad- 
ministration, an average of 54,782 tons of iron monthly. < 3 > 

Only one rail mill was operated during his term of office, the new 
mill having entirely superseded the old one, which now became known as 



(1) In January, 1881, Wm. Pierce took charge of the electrical department, and 
continued until 1892, being superseded by C. M. Tolman, a college man. The electri- 
cal equipment in 1880 consisted of one two-light Brush Arc Dynamo installed at the 
Furnace Machine Shop; it was driven by a line shaft and was the first electrical ma- 
chine installed at this plant. In 1882 the second lighting plant was installed at the 
"A" Furnace, consisting of a 45-lamp arc machine, and the third plant was built near 
the present location of the "B & W." boiler house, consisting of two 65-Lamp Brush 
arc machines. In 1891 there was installed one 75 K. W. 60 cycle A. C. generator 
driven by a Porter-Allen engine. During this year the first motor driven soaking pit 
crane ever built in America was installed at Edgar Thomson, and one of its motors 
is still in service at the Furnace Department. 

(2) Each 22' diameter of bosh and 90' high. They had 7 stoves, each 
78' 6" x 21'. Cast houses were 54 x 180'. Engine house had five E. P. Allis engines, 
each having a steam cylinder of 40" diameter, and 60" stroke. 24 boilers furnished 
the steam supply, each 28' long, 54" diameter, with two 18" flues. The "F & G" and 
"H & I" batteries were connected with a steam pipe. 

(3) A Gates Mastodon crusher was used for crushing limestone. It had a ca- 
pacity of 800 tons per day. 



118 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

"No. 2 Mill." The new mill produced an average of 26,051 tons monthly, 
as compared with less than 15,000 tons produced by the old mill in its best 
days. 

The plant now employed about 3,500 men, and produced on an 
average of 1,550 tons of furance iron per day. The record for a single 
blast furnace was 457 tons for 24 hours, and the best daily rail record 
1,417 tons. 

Like his predecessor, Schwab was very generous, and gave churches 
in his town of every denomination many a helping hand. More than one 
church building, in fact, stands today as a memorial of his generosity and 
breadth of religious viewpoint. 

To the traditions of the office that he held, Schwab added the en- 
couragement of the arts, and at his own expense equipped and organized 
a fine brass band. Floyd St. Clair, one of his employees, became the leader 
of this band, and later made a name for himself in the world of music. 

After the fatal riots at the Homestead plant in 1892, Schwab, who 
was well known and liked by the Homestead men from his former work 
there, was asked to take sole charge of the wrecked organization of that 
concern. This work he undertook (with the greatest success) October 1, 
1892, and James Gayley, Superintendent of the Blast Furnaces, became 
General Superintendent. 



ADMINISTRATION OF JAMES GAYLEY.") 

(OCTOBER 1, ISM-FEBRUARY 28. 1895.) 

James Gayley was probably the greatest technician who ever filled 
the superintendence. His record at the Crane Iron Works (Catasauqua, 
Pa.) Missouri Furnace Co., (St. Louis) and E. & G. Brooke Iron Co., 
(Birdsboro, Pa.) had attracted the notice of Captain Jones, and in 1885 
he came to Edgar Thomson as Superintendent of the Blast Furnaces. 

In this capacity he made a record as an economist, and reduced the 
coke consumption to a point that has been little if any excelled since that 
time. He invented the bronze cooling plate for blast furnace walls, the 
auxiliary casting stand for Bessemer steel plants, and was the first to 
use the compound condensing blowing engine with the Blast Furnace. He 



(1) Born 1855 at Lock Haven, Pa. Graduated as mining engineer from La- 
fayette College 1876. Subsequently became first vice president of the U. S. Steel Cor- 
poration. In 1904 and 1905 was President of the American Institute of Mining En- 
gineers, and from 1905 to 1911 President of the Board of Directors. 




JAMES GAYLEY. 



120 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

also invented the dry-air blast, for which the Franklin Institute awarded 
him the Elliott Cresson medal. 

Under his superintendency the Blast Furnace Department had com- 
manded the notice of the whole metallurgical world, and by his wise selec- 
tion of stock, and general management, with certain other favoring con- 
ditions, 10 his furnaces made record productions. Gayley, in fact, was to 
the blast furnace what Jones had been to the rail mill. 

Brilliant and intellectual as he was, the spirit of education and en- 
lightenment found in him a willing disciple. Not only was he a keenly 
commercial and technical steel-master, but he was also imbued with the 
inspiring, uplifting, educational fire that in other days animated such men 
as Sturmius, Rabelais, Montaigne, Ascham, Mulcaster, Pestalozzi, and 
Rousseau. Far in advance of his time, he was interested heart and soul 
in the instruction and education of his men, and under his auspices the 
finest lectures were delivered, gratis, for them in Braddock Carnegie Free 
Library. Some of the printed reports of these lectures are still extant, 
and are the finest brochures obtainable on their respective subjects.' 2) 
Mrs. Gayley, on her part, gave frequent talks on household economy and 
domestic science. 

Never was there a more sincere, earnest, or conscientious man in 
the superintendent's chair. 

The use of molten iron, together with Ferro Manganese, had origi- 
nated at Edgar Thomson, but under this administration the process was 
abandoned. (In this connection it should also be noted, in the metallurgi- 
cal line, that the direct process, i. e., using molten iron direct from the 
blast furnaces, was first used in America at this plant according to Mr. 
H. W. Benn, who believes it began in 1881 or '82. He also states that 
Edgar Thomson was the first plant to cast on cars successfully.) 

Mr. Gayley's operating staff consisted of D. G. Kerr, Supt. Fur- 
naces; Rich. Stevens, M. M. Furnaces; Thos. James, M. M. Steel Depart- 
ment; C. M. Tolman, Supt. Electrical Department; John Noey, Supt. 
Boilers; H. W. Benn, Supt. Converting Works; Geo. Nimon and A. Mc- 



(1) The Edgar Thomson metallurgist, Mr. J. D. Lewis, states that while the 
ore in Gayley's time ran sometimes as high as 64 and 65 per cent iron, it now only runs 
about 50 and 51 per cent. Again, low Silicon iron seems to have been acceptable in 
those days, and low Silicon permits low coke practice. These conditions, however, in 
no way detract from Mr. Gayley's accomplishments, for the simple reason that in the 
day when he won his fame his competitors had, for the most part, the same materials 
to work with. 

(2) The lecture on the geological history of the Pittsburgh district is far bet- 
ter than anything that can now be obtained from the State Geological Department. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 121 

Williams, Foremen Carpenters; Thos. Cosgrove, Supt. Labor and Trans- 
portation; Conser McClure, Roll Designer; C. C. Teeter, Chief Clerk; 
Thos. Addenbrook, Supt. Masonry ; D. L. Miller, Supt. Rail Mill ; Wm. Con- 
nor, Superintendent Foundry; G. E. Harris, Supt. Finishing Department; 
Chief Draughtsmen and Engineers : H. B. A. Keiser, E. E. Slick, F. Du- 
Peyster Thompson, and Jno. F. Lewis; Secretary, James E. Mitchell. 

Gayley had charge of the plant during the panic years that followed 
Grover Cleveland's election in 1892. Times were very bad, labor was rest- 
less, and the Carnegie officials exacting in their demands, and his position 
was extremely difficult. 

Not content with obliterating groves of trees, township roads, and 
whole rows of dwelling houses, the expanding plant now turned back the 
very streams from their courses, and in 1893 Turtle Creek's course was 
moved 1,125 feet east from the old bed back of the Converting Mill to its 
present location. On May 12, 1891, Carnegie Bros. & Co. had purchased 
about 7!/> acres of land from John Dalzell, chiefly in what is now the Un- 
ion Railroad Valley yard, and on December 28, 1891, 12 additional acres 
from Wm. J. McKinney (on the site of the present O. H. plant) and again 
on July 13, 1892, the Carnegie Steel Company (note the change in name) (1) 
Limited, secured about 11 acres from Wm. F. Knox in the Union Railroad 
main track yard and Turtle Creek district. 

With this expansion in territory the way was clear for an exten- 
sion that the plant badly needed, viz: a Foundry Department, and under 
Mr. Gayley the entire Foundry Department was constructed. 

No. 1 Foundry commenced operation July 11, 1893, producing 
during the remainder of that year 1893 tons. This was probably the first 
foundry of the kind to make ingot moulds sucessfully with direct molten 
metal from the furnaces. 

No. 2 Foundry commenced operations January 11, 1894, and is 
used for making general iron castings, and the third and last foundry 
commenced foundry work March 19, 1894, producing brass and bronze 
castings. The original Brass Foundry of Mr. Gayley's time was veiy 
small, and has since been torn down. 

Of this new department, Mr. William Connor, formerly of the 
Mackintosh & Hemphill Co., became Superintendent. 

During Mr. Gayley's administration the abandoned old mill was 



(1) The Carnegie Steel Company, Limited, was formed July 1, 1892. and was a 
coalition of Carnegie Brothers & Company, Limited, and Carnegie, Phipps & Company, 
the capital being $25,000,000. 



122 The Unwritten History of Braddock*s Field. 

again brought into use, producing some 32,000 tons of rails, and entering 
upon a second lease of life. 

Mr. Gayley's exhaustive technical knowledge was desired by the 
officials in the City Office, and he was accordingly given the post of Ore 
Agent March 1, 1895, being succeeded at Edgar Thomson by Mr. Thomas 
Morrison, General Superintendent of the Duquesne Works. 



ADMINISTRATION OF THOMAS MORRISON. 

FEBRUARY 28, 1895-MAY 31, 1903. 

Thomas Morrison was first of all a great mechanician and rail mill 
man, next a great financier, but withal a hard, practical, common sense 
man of business, blunt, direct, and outspoken, four square with the world. 
He had the usual distaste of the man with a mechanical turn of mind for 
the vagaries of words and phrases and the confusion of official papers. 
As a rule, he did not dictate his correspondence, being impatient with such 
affairs, and turning with more cheerfulness to problems of a mechanical 
or operative nature. He was a strict, fair, and just disciplinarian, and 
when he left we find his men presenting him with a fine watch and hearti- 
ly expressing their conviction that he had given everyone a fair deal. 

With Mr. Morrison from Duquesne came Mr. G. E. F. Gray (1) as 
Chief Clerk, who had served in that capacity at Duquesne and Home- 
stead, and was eminently fitted for that position by integrity of charac- 
ter and broad, conservative judgment. This position Mr. Gray has held 
ever since. 

Mr. Morrison's operating staff was as follows: — Assistant Gen'l 
Sup't, Chas. E. Dinkey ; Supt. Blast Furnaces, D. G. Kerr, Geo. Crawford, 
and H. A. Brassert; Master Mechanic Furnaces, Rich. Stevens, Jno. F. 
Lewis, A. E. Maccoun ; M. M. Steel Department, Thos. James ; Chief 
Electrician, A. E. Maccoun, following C. M. Tolman; Supt. Boilers, John 
Noey; Supt. Converting Mill, H. W. Benn ; Supt. Carpenters, etc., A. Mc- 
Williams and Reuben Abbiss; Supt. Foundry, Chas. E. Dinkey and Geo. 
England; Chief Inspector, E. B. White; Chief Engineers, E. E. Slick and 
Sydney Dillon; Chief Chemists, F. L. Grammar and C. B. Murray; Supt. 



(1) Passenger service, Pennsylvania Railroad, January 18, 1873, until October, 
1879. With Dithridge Chimney Company, 17th Street, South Side, Pittsburgh, from 
October, 187!), to September, 1881; Inspector and Clerk, Edgar Thomson Works, 
September 14, 1881, to October, 1886; Chief Clerk, Homestead, October, 1886, until 
December, 1887; Chief Clerk, Duquesne Works, January 1, 1888, until March 1, 1895; 
March 1, 1895, Chief Clerk Edgar Thomson Works. 




THOMAS MORRISON, 



124 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

Blooming and Rail Mills, D. L. Miller; Chief Clerk, G. E. F. Gray; Super- 
intendent Finishing Department, Geo. E. Harris; Superintendent Ma- 
sonry, Thos. Addenbrook ; Roll Designer, Conser McClure, L. W. Nageley, 
F. H. Ghrist; Secretary, James E. Mitchell; Supt. Transportation and 
Labor, Thos. Cosgrove. 

No. 1 Foundry was enlarged early in Morrison's administration 
(1899) and in 1898, No. 2 Foundry first began the manufacture of iron 
rolls. The Brass Foundry was torn down in 1902, and the old Power 
House was converted into the present Brass Foundry, employing about 65 
men, and practically bringing the foundry to its present status. 

On August 20, 1895, only a few months after Morrison had as- 
sumed charge, occurred the distressing explosion at "H" Furnace, where- 
in six were killed and eight badly burned. If it had been possible, this 
furnace would have retrieved itself during his term, however, for it com- 
pleted a nine-years' run on a single lining for over 1,000,000 tons, being 
the first blast furnace in the world to accomplish such a feat. 

During the early part of 1897, the mills' electrical demands had in- 
creased to such an extent that a new power house was built on the site 
of the present plant, the Foundry power house and Mill lighting plant be- 
ing dismantled. The equipment of the new power house consisted of one 
800 K. W. generator, a 400 K. W. generator moved from the Foundry, two 
75 K. W. lighting machines and one 150 K. W. lighting machine. The old 
250 H. P. generators of the Foundry power house were moved to No. 1 
Rail Mill finishing yard, and subsequently scrapped. 

A vital improvement effected by Morrison was the double furnace 
bell, forestalling the escape of gas in charging, which, together with the 
first automatic skip hoist in America, was put on Furnace "F" in August, 
1897. This innovation did away with the necessity of men going on top of 
the furnace during regular operations. 

A great number of electrical installations were put in during this 
period, perhaps the most noteworthy being the installation on the "B" 
Furnace, March 9, 1898, of the first electrically driven skip hoist in the 
world. This proved such a success that Morrison subsequently changed 
the following furnace skips to electric drive : — 

Furnace "I", December 4, 1898. 

Furnace "A", March 28, 1899. 

Furnace "G", September 26, 1899. 

Furnace "E", December 5, 1900. 

Furnace "D", December 4, 1901. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 125 

Furnace "K", December 5, 1902. 

Furnace "J", February 16, 1903. 

A revolutionary installation was the pig machine, installed at the 
furnaces 1898. Previous to this the furnace iron had been cooled in chill 
moulds. The pig machine is an endless moving chain of pig moulds into 
which the iron is poured from the ladle, passed under water, and cooled. 

Again, the blowing engines at the Furnace Department, which 
formerly had had single cylinders, and were run high pressure, with air 
tubs equipped with leather valves, were changed at the "A, B and C" in 
1896 to independent compound condensing engines, and at the "D and 
E" to compound condensing steeple engines in 1897. The old type of en- 
gine has since been displaced throughout the plant as a result of this 
campaign. 

The greatest plant development in steam economy, however, of this 
or any other administration was the replacement in 1895 of the old style 
tubular boilers by the Cahall water tube type. The "A, B and C" boiler 
house was rebuilt in 1896 and 1897, the "D and E" in 1897 and 1898, the 
"H and I" in 1902, and the "J and K" in 1902 and 1903. A second great 
economy effected was the connection of the Mill and Furnace Departments 
June, 1899, with a 24-inch steam line, thus allowing the removal of most 
of the coal fired boilers at the mill, and the use of gas fired boilers at the 
furnaces. 

The Union Railroad interlocking plant was thrown into service in 
Bessemer yard October 26, 1897, and the first train brought in from 
North Bessemer on that date, which marks an epoch in the transportation 
system of the plant. 

Under Mr. Morrison the first Weiss central condensing plant in 
this country was established at the Power House 1897. Since that time 
this type of central counter-current condenser has been installed at all 
the Blast Furnace steam blowing engine rooms and at all the departments 
of the mill where steam is used. 

In this period of centralization, the Furnace Laboratory and Steel 
Works Laboratory were combined (1897) and the present laboratory 
erected, C. B. Murray being appointed chief chemist. 

In 1899 the present Converting Mill building, housing four 15-ton 
converters, was erected for the plant by the Keystone Bridge Company, 
the building being 165 x 78l/ 2 x 31 ft. high, fully equipped with the latest 
electric and automatic devices throughout. The previous year (1898) the 
Blooming Mill had been again rebuilt, although still remaining a 40-inch 




G. E. F. GRAY. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 127 

mill. Furnace "K" was completed and blown in December 5, 1902, and 
the "J" on February 16, 1903, each being 90 10" high, the "J" having 
a 15' hearth while the "K" hearth is 15' 6". 

The cry, which had been all for "tonnage" for years past, now be- 
gan to turn toward "quality." With this in mind, Morrison installed what 
was known as the "Kennedy-Morrison process" in the rail mill December 
5, 1900, which consisted of a cooling bed between the leader pass and the 
finishing pass, the idea being to put a harder surface upon the rail. 

January 8, 1902, an addition was built to the power house, and the 
second 800 K. W. compound wound D. C. generator, driven by a vertical 
cross-compound Allis engine was installed. At this time we note that the 
second lighting line was run to Braddock, (the first line having been run 
1894 or thereabouts). 

The terrible Furnace "I" accident occurred March 31, 1903, the 
furnace "slipping" and dust collector blowing out. Nine men were killed 
in this disaster, and five badly burned. 

Late in this administration Mr. W. J. Vance, Chief Shipper, re- 
signed, and Mr. W. L. Miller assumed the duties of that office, which he 
is still creditably performing. 

One of the most important and far reaching innovations of this 
progressive executive was the weekly meeting of department superin- 
tendents for the noon hour meal (generally held on Wednesdays) whereat 
the difficulties and troubles that beset each department are fully thrashed 
out for the instruction of all, and thorough harmony and understanding 
secured throughout the organization. This weekly dinner Mr. Morrison 
inaugurated October 18, 1899, and it has been most profitably continued 
ever since. The minutes of these meetings form a most valuable and ac- 
curate record for the plant, and it is greatly to be regretted that such a 
record was not to be obtained for the whole life of the organization. 

I regret that lack of space forbids more detail of this vigorous 
man's term of office. Suffice it to say that under Morrison the plant 
smashed every record it had ever made, and on reviewing the administra- 
tion no point appears wherein he did not surpass his predecessors in pro- 
duction. Roughly speaking, the amazing truth is that the plant was 
speeded up 70 or 80 per cent. While the mills had previously been pro- 
ducing around a quarter of a million tons of rails per annum, under 
Morrison they put out half a million or so. 

Plain spoken and matter of fact as he was, it is the achievements 
•of the man that strike our attention far more forcibly than the reserved 





THOMAS JAMES. 



D. L. MILLEK 





nioMAs Mcdonald. 



HARRY W. RE NX. 





THOMAS COSGROVE. 



A. J. BOYLE. 





A. J. PREUS.SE. 



JOHN RINARD. 




(HAS. E. DINKEY, 

Whose term of service as General Superintendent 

exceeds all others. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 129 

and unassuming personality which he presented to the world. I have 
tried to portray, roughly, in a non-technical manner, the results of his 
regime, and have been most fortunate if I have succeeded in conveying any 
idea of the cold brilliance of his administration. 



ADMINISTRATION OF CHAS. E. DINKEY. 



Big executives have a weakness for the man who can get things 
done, and in June, 1901, Thomas Morrison had brought up the young man 
who had charge of the Foundry Department and placed him in his own 
office as Assistant General Superintendent. Two years later, after the 
formation of the United States Steel Corporation, when Mr. Morrison's 
extensive personal business demanded all of his time, he recommended his 
assistant, Chas. E. Dinkey, as his successor. 

In the American Manufacturer years before, on October 4, 1889, 
Jos. D. Weeks had declared that the superintendency of the Edgar Thom- 
son plant demanded greater executive capacity than the presidency of the 
United States. There now entered that superintendency a man trained 
under four executives of such caliber, and who, naturally of a reflective 
turn of mind and keenly observant, brought to that office the noblest 
qualities of those that had gone before: The force and driving power of 
Jones, the shrewd tact and generalship of Schwab, the chemistry and de- 
tail of Gayley, and the sound common sense and business acumen of Mor- 
rison. In him each of these qualities of his predecessors still lived on in 
one master executive. (1) 

For his assistant, Chas. E. Dinkey chose John F. Lewis, (2) who was 
eminently fitted for such promotion by a rigorous course from early boy- 



(1) A more complete account of Mr. Dinkey and his methods is given at the con- 
clusion of this chapter. 

(2) His service record at Edgar Thomson, as stated hy himself, is as follows: — 

1875 Hammer boy, blacksmith shop. 

1876 Clerk in store rooms. 

1877 Machine shop. 

1878 Messenger under Capt. Jones. 

1879 Machine shop. 
1881 Drawing room. 

1883 Machine shop. 

1884 Drawing room. 
1887 Machine shop. 
1892 Drawing room. 

1896 Assistant master mechanic, Furnaces. 

1899 Master Mechanic, Furnaces. 

1903 Assistant General Superintendent. 




JOHN F. LEWIS. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 131 

hood in shops and drawing room, and who at the time was Master Me- 
chanic at the Blast Furnace Department. Mr. Lewis is naturally of an in- 
ventive turn of mind, and during past years has given to the mill many in- 
ventions and improvements, among which may be mentioned the vertical 
hydraulic ingot stripper (1891) (which alone reduced the force 56 men), 
steel tie fastening, stock distributing device for blast furnaces, etc., etc. 
The man lives in a mechanic's world, and thinks machinery as other men 
think words. His desk is constantly covered with a profusion of the most 
complicated and unintelligible sketches of gears, drives, trains, etc. of 
every description. A thorough sportsman, genial, considerate, and wholly 
democratic, he carries with him an intangible atmosphere of Southern 
chivalry. 

With this period, the historian reaches the most difficult part of 
his task, for in the administration of Chas. E. Dinkey, up to the present 
time, not ten, twenty or fifty projects have been undertaken, but 265 
separate and distinct improvements effected <>t fin averag*. caliber 
of $90,000 or $100,000 each. It is immediately apparent that in so brief 
a survey as this history, only the most prominent and interesting features 
can be touched upon. 

His operating staff to date has consisted of the following men : — 
Assistant General Superintendent, Jno. F. Lewis; Chief Clerk, G. E. F. 
Gray ; Superintendent Blast Furnaces, H. A. Brassert, A. E. Maccoun ; 
Chief Electrician, A. E. Maccoun, E. Friedlaender ; Steel Works Master 
Mechanic, Thos. James, John Richardson ; Chief Engineer, Sydney Dillon, 
L. C. Edgar; Supt. Converting Works, H. W. Benn, L. T. Upton, C. F. Mc- 
Donald; Supt. Finishing Department, Geo. E. Harris, Jas. V. Stewart; 
Supt. Blooming and Rail Mills, D. L. Miller; Supt. Masonry, Thos. Adden- 
brook, P. G. D. Strang; Chief Chemist, C. B. Murray, G. D. Chamberlain, 
C. E. Nesbit; Superintendent Labor and Transportation. Thos. Cosgrove, 
Wm. J. Dixon; Chief Roll Designer, F. H. Christ, F. F. Slick, I. W. Keener; 
Asst. Supt. Furnaces, M. Killeen, F. H. N. Gerwig; Foreman Carpenters, 
Reuben Abbiss; Superintendent Open Hearth, J. W. Kagarise; Special 
Engineer, Richard Stevens, A. F. T. Wolff; Supt. Foundry, Geo. England, 
S. B. Cuthbert; Supt. Boilers, John Noey, Geo. S. Kramer; Chief Inspec- 
tor, E. B. White, J. K. Boyd ; Master Mechanic Furnaces, Geo. W. Camp- 
bell ; Supt. Splice Bar Shop, Edgar S. Wright, Superintendent No. 3 Mill, 
Frank F. Slick ; Secretary, P. A. K. Black. 

1903-04. One of the first acts of Mr. Dinkey's term was the 
changing of the township road from the old location through the mill to 



132 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

the present site, thus giving more yard room and greater area for expan- 
sion. The first street car ran over the new tracks July 4, 1903. The 
foundry was also extended 66 feet during this first year, and at the fur- 
naces a great economy was effected by the installation April 28, 1904, of 
ten 110,000 gallon settling tanks for treating the acid Monongahela river 
water with lime and soda ash for boiler feed purposes. a) 

1904-05. The question of roll storage had now become a serious 
problem, for over 100 different rail sections were rolled at the plant. Ac- 
cordingly in this year the 24 2-flue boilers at No. 1 Rail Mill were torn out 
and the Boiler House converted into a roll storage by installing a crane 
runway and using the old roll shop crane. A new 500-foot wharf and 
wharf boat were also constructed (besides various other improvements in 
this year) to take care of the river traffic, at a cost of $97,000.*-' 

1905-06. The first gas engine installed at Edgar Thomson was a 
21%" x 30" horizontal tandem Westinghouse of the four cycle constant 
mixture type. It was started November 13, 1905, and ran until August 7, 
1906, when it was returned to the builders for some necessary improve- 
ments. It was direct connected to a 250-K.W. generator, and furnished 
current for operating the Foundry. It was operated on blast furnace gas, 
and was the first engine of this type to be installed in this country. 

The demand for light rails had been exceeding the supply for some 
years, and accordingly a special light section rail mill, the first electrical 
mill in this country, was constructed and placed in operation in July, 1905. 

For the operation of this mill, Mr. Dinkey had long decided upon 
Mr. Frank F. Slick,'"' chief roll designer, whose technical education, energy, 
and versatility appealed to him. The actual appointment of Mr. Slick to 
this position, however, off-hand and nonchalant as it appeared, and the 
history of the infancy of that now famous mill,'" are highly illustrative 
of both characters: 

The mill being practically completed, Mr. Dinkey exclaimed one day 



(1) Monongahela river water runs as high, at times, as 12 grains acid to the 
gallon, and about 1,000 pounds lime and 4,000 pounds soda ash are daily required for 
softening. Each of the ten tanks is emptied and filled an average of three times daily. 

(2) The three remaining furnaces were equipped with electrically operated hoists 
1904, i. e., Furnaces "C", "F" and "H". 

(3) Born 1870, Johnstown, Pa. Was through Johnstown flood. Office boy, 
clerk, and assistant roller at Cambria Iron Works. Engineering Department, E. T. 
Works in February 1896; Assistant Engineer, Ordnance Department, Carnegie Steel 
Co., 1900; In charge of Roll Shop, E. T. Works, 1903. Supt. No. 3 Mill, July, 1905. 

(4) An 18-inch mill for re-rolling billets and heavier sections into light rails. 
Has four roll stands, driven by two 1500 H. P., D. C. Motors. These motors were 
the first installed in this country for driving main rolls. The main building is 580 ft. 
x 43 x 26 ft. 8 in. high. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 133 

to a group of superintendents: "Well, here's the mill all right, but who the 
devil will we get to run this condemned sausage factory?" 

"Me," said Slick. "I'll run it." 

"Take it," said the Boss. 

Scarcely, however, had the earnest young superintendent assumed 
his first charge than the wretched mill groaned feebly and stopped alto- 
gether. 

Down came Mr. Dinkey. "Well, what's the matter here?" 

"We have to make some repairs and get things straightened up, 
Mr. Dinkey. This mill is in frightful shape," said Slick. 

Another day passed, and still no tonnage from No. 3. 

Mr. Dinkey then invited Mr. Slick to call. Upon that unhappy man's 
appearance, he engaged him in some desultory conversation, in the course 
of which he confided to him that, personally, he greatly admired the pic- 
ture of still life presented by the brand new mill, with the golden sunlight 
falling on polished brass and bronze, the silent roll stands fading away in 
murky perspective, and the stalwart workmen standing about obscured by 
the shadows of gigantic machines, and that, anyhow, he was the last man 
to discourage the aesthetic aspirations of his subordinates. He added, 
however, that in the capacity of superior officer he felt at liberty to make 
some suggestions in an artistic vein, and took this opportunity to remind 
Mr. Slick that Corot and many other great painters were wont to introduce 
a splash of red into the foreground of their masterpieces, which feature, 
in No. 3, could be best secured by introducing a red hot billet in the first 
roughing rolls. 

The exasperated Mr. Slick heard him through in silence. Then, 
"Mr. Dinkey, if you'll just give me a chance to get that mill cleaned up 
right I'll give you the best mill going. I can run it right now if you want 
a second grade mill, but this isn't going to be that kind of an affair " And 
he made good his boast, for today No. 3 Mill stands first in the Steel Cor- 
poration, and probably ranks first for its kind in the entire United States. 

1906-07. On Nov. 16, 1906, upon the resignation of Mr. David F. 
Melville as Assistant Chief Clerk, Mr. F. A. Power of the Foundry Depart- 
ment was appointed to succeed him, and took office at that time. This 
lively gentleman has long since justified his appointment by his earnest 
loyalty and the deeply conscientious discharge of his duty, while his Gar- 
gantuan laughter helps remove the dust that is only too prone to settle 
on the office windows. 



134 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

Mr. Dinkey's European trip, it should be noted, took place in the 
summer of 1906. 

Two move gas engines were installed in December, 1906, and March, 
1907.' " 

Five new ore bridges were installed at the Furnaces in this year of 
the administration, the bridges in the new yard going into operation Dec. 
1, 1906, and in the old yard January 5, 1907. The car dumper was in- 
stalled in 1907, a giant machine which picks the car up bodily and dumps it, 
thus saving a vast amount of time and labor. No. 1 Rail Mill was also 
thoroughly over-hauled and rebuilt for diversified product in 1907. 

On March 14, 1907, occurred one of the worst floods of the Mon- 
ongahela of recent years, the river gauge at the works recording 34 ft. 6 
inches. The records show twelve other floods of varying degree in the last 
ten years. 

1907-08. One of the most prominent features of this administration 
has been the attention given to the safety of the men. An account of the 
work along this line, alone, would fill a volume, for it is one of Mr. Dinkey's 
hobbies to make the mill safe. In line with this idea, the Washington 
Street tunnel was constructed during this year of the administration, af- 
fording a safe and convenient passage for the workmen of the Blast Fur- 
nace Department. 1 - 1 

On January 1, 1908, as though in irony of the attempts to curb him, 
the Steel demon broke loose in the Converting Department, and an ex- 
plosion occurred in which three men were killed and eight seriously injured. 

1908-09. As a step toward improved quality, the five pass roughing 
rolls in No. 1 Mill were changed to seven pass, Sept. 5, 1908, with excellent 
results. (3) 

In this year the Cahall boilers at the Mill were moved to the Fur- 
nace Department and the extension to the present general office built, 
ground being broken March 4, 1909, and the office occupied May 8th. (J) 

1909-10. Notwithstanding the depression of the panic, improve- 
ments at the works kept right on. The 15-ton iron ladles at the Furnaces 



(1) These engines were horizontal, tandem blowing engines of the four cycle 
constant mixture type. Cylinders were 38%" on the gas and air respectively and 54" 
stroke. A 40 x 54" engine of the same type was installed in the Power Station Nov. 
11, 1907, direct connected to a 1500-K. W. D. C. generator. 

(2) The famous panic of 1907-08 was on during this year, when improvements 
and operations were at lowest ebb. In November, 1907 the works started paying in 
Pittsburgh clearing house scrip, the last of such payments being made Jan. 11, 1908. 

(3) That is, the bloom was broken down to about rail size in two more opera- 
tions than before, and by easier stages. 

(4) Furnace "A" was also reconstructed during the early part of 1908, and is 
now 91 ft. high with a 15 ft. 6 inch hearth and 22 ft. bosh. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 135 

had been replaced in 1908 with 35-ton ladles (10 in all) and in this year, 
1909, seven electrically operated ladle dumpers were started at the Pig 
Machine, materially reducing transportation costs and amount of scrap 
metal produced in handling the furnace iron. The Kennedy-Morrison 
cooling table, which had been in service for almost a decade, was removed 
July 24, 1909, and the new direct run operation commenced July 25, 1909. 

We are now (1909) entering the period of diversified product from 
the rail mills, and the Basic Open Hearth plans are approaching comple- 
tion. For a full understanding of the causes back of these new develop- 
ments, it is necessary to make a slight discursion at this point : 

From the annual report of the American Iron & Steel Institute for 
1915, we learn that the domestic consumption of steel rails in the United 
States, in tons per annum, was as follows for the years 1903-1914, in- 
clusive: 

1903 3,057,195 

1904 1,906,237 

1905 3,098,184 

1906 3,654,794 

1907 3,298,500 

1908 1,726,224 

1909 2,725,847 

1910 3,290,712 

1911 2,405,330 

1912 2,885,222 

1913 3,052,635 

1914 1,792,986 

It will at once be seen that the rail purchases of the country fell off 
heavily from 1907 on, and as a matter of self preservation the rail mills 
at Edgar Thomson were compelled to branch off into various products, 
ordinary billets being rolled in 1907 and '08, tie plates commenced Dec. 31, 
1909, and sheet bar Feb. 21, 1910. 

When the New York Central sections were introduced, about 1890, 
owing to the stiffness of those rails they had reduced the Phosphorous to 
0.06 and raised the Carbon to an average of 0.55 and even 0.60 in the heavi- 
er sections. Other roads followed suit, and claiming that 0.10 Phosphorous 
rails broke under the severity of northern winters, kept increasing the 
demand for rails low in Phosphorus content. The Lackawanna Steel Com- 
pany made a very great amount of these low Phosphorous rails within 
the next seven or eight years, and the Edgar Thomson Works occasionally 



136 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

rolled some from special ores, but those low Phosphorous ores that were 
readily available were well nigh exhausted in a short time, and accordingly 
we find the Lackawanna plant dismantling in 1898 to rebuild at Buffalo, and 
practically six years elapsed before they were again in full operation. Their 
former output of rails was distributed among other mills : Carnegie, Cam- 
bria, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Illinois Steel Companies. 

The manufacturers declared that the breakages of Bessemer rails 
were due to the constantly increasing loads and higher speeds imposed upon 
the rails by the roads, (and incidentally it may be stated that the rail- 
road companies have since virtually admitted this fact). We are not 
here, however, concerned in the basic metallurgical truths of the matter, 
but only in the ruling sentiments of the period, and the prevailing fashion 
in the railroad world. The railroads continued to insist on low Phosphor- 
ous rails, and in the year 1907 the situation between manufacturers and 
roads became so tense that there were many meetings and consultations 
to determine what could be done to make better rails. The manufacturers 
said that it was impossible to roll the A. S. C. E. sections with their ex- 
treme width and thin bases and put sufficient work upon the herd to make 
them wear well and at the same time have the metal throughout the en- 
tire section sufficiently tough. 

The Bethlehem Open Hearth plant was in operation in 1907, and 
the Gary plant for Basic Open Hearth rails was designed. For the 1908 
rails many roads specified that the metal in the Bessemer converters should 
be held 2V-> minutes after recarburizing, and also that the number of rails 
per ingot should not exceed three. The mills could not handle a three- 
rail ingot at that time, and therefore they rolled the lower two-thirds, only, 
into rails for such specifications. 

The consumers were demanding Basic Open Hearth rails, and for 
some the Open Hearth steel was made at the Homestead plant and shipped 
to E. T. Works. This was, of course, an expensive affair for Edgar Thom- 
son, and the Basic Open Hearth plant was shortly designed. The marked 
reduction in rail orders for 1908 is also accounted for by the panic of 1907- 
08, and the fact that the western corn crop had been soft, and only suited 
for feeding purposes, instead of for shipping. 

1909-10. Air dump cinder ladles that could be operated from the 
engine cab replaced the hand dump ladles at the Blast Furnace Department 
March 10, 1910. The car repair shop was built, and some sixteen other 
improvements of minor interest effected. 

1910-11. The year 1910, among other things, saw the completion of 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 137 

the Flue Dust Briquetting Plant 111 and the removal of the Splice Bar 
shop l2) from Duquesne to Edgar Thomson. To the Edgar Thomson manage- 
ment must be given full credit for the development of the Flue Dust 
Briquetting process, and the perfection of the high Carbon splice bar, both 
of which processes have advanced very far beyond what they were on in- 
ception at this plant. The Briquette Plant is expected very shortly to have 
a monthly capacity of 30,000 tons of fine briquettes which will take the 
place of the best grades of ore used in the Open Hearth or Blast Furnaces. 

1911-12. A new Emergency Hospital, for the proper care of the in- 
jured employee, was erected during this year, ground being broken Dec. 
26, 1911, and the hospital occupied Sept. 16, 1912. The new works club 
house at Thirteenth Street was commenced in June, 1912, and occupied 
in November of that year. 

On May 28, 1912, came the good new.; that an appropriation had been 
granted Edgar Thomson that day for a new Open Hearth Department, an 
improvement long desired and planned for by Mr. Dinkey, and which had 
been more or less in contemplation since 1895. Work commenced imme- 
diately, ground being broken May 31, 1912. ,3> In this year the employment 
office began operations in the basement of the General Office, June 27, 
1912, the present employment office 1 " not being occupied until October, 



(1) The Briquetting- plant is situated in Duquesne Borough on the Monongahela 
Southern branch of Union R. R., and is equipped with machinery for the refining- of 
blast furnace flue-dust, concentrates of which are prepared for Briquette production. 
There are four furnaces and five presses at the plant, all of which have been remodelled 
and developed by the works. 

The separation of magnetic content is taken care of by six magnetic separators, 
from which the concentrates are conveyed to mixers and thence to stock bin, where they 
are ready for feeding to presses. The tailings are disposed of by conveyor belts, and 
the new Greenawalt sintering plant is now under construction to take care of this 
material. 

Mr. T. J. Davis, who came here from the Northern Iron Co., Philadelphia, has 
been in charge of the plant since June, 1911. 

(2) The Splice Bar shop is 80 x 312 feet, and contains four sets of machines 
for flanging, shearing, punching, and notching splice bars, either cold or hot working. 
There are two re-heating furnaces for hot working bars, and oil quenching tank for 
tempering purposes equipped with steam jet arrangement for snuffing out fire. There 
are two annealing furnaces. There is a machine shop and various repair tools at the 
shop. The loading yard has two movable loading conveyors of the chain type which 
carry bars from one department to another. This plant holds the record for output for 
any plant of its size in the United States. It is under the supervision of Mr. E. S. 
Wright. 

(3) In this plant, incidentally, was subsequently developed the reverse duplex 
process (patented) for making low Phosphorous acid Bessemer steel. An order had 
been received from a foreign customer for steel of 0.06 Phosphorous and under, to be 
finished by an acid process. To accomplish this the Basic iron was dephosphorized in 
the stationary Open Hearth furnace, sent to the Bessemer mixers, and high Silicon 
Bessemer iron mixed with the low Phosphorous Washed Metal, which was then sent to 
the Converting Works and carried through in the regular manner. 

(4) This office has been under the supervision of E. C. Ramage, from the Union 
R. R. and New Castle Works, and a most efficient system has been introduced. 



138 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

1913. On June 20, 1912 the old McKinney Club House, that had long- 
served as restaurant and meeting place for the superintendents, was torn 
down to make room for the new 0. H. plant. 

1912-13. On Nov. 10, 1912, the present works telephone system and 
telephone central were installed in the present location in the Club House. 
In this year of the administration the stocking and shipping yards for Nos. 
1 and 2 Mills were constructed, and work commenced on the relocation and 
improvement of the Blooming Mill while the old No. 2 Rail Mill was also re- 
modeled. During- this contruction work, Mr. F. F. Slick was given super- 
vision of the rail mill operations. A fire occurred in this year at the Flue 
Dust Briquette Plant. In 1913 the Electric Repair Shop, which had been 
located in the present Power House, was moved to the present location 
to make room for the installation of additional electrical equipment in the 
Power House. Electrical ingot strippers were put in operation June 18, 
1913. 

1913-14. This year saw the completion of the Blooming and old 
mill improvements, and the completion of the 14-Furnace Basic Open 
Hearth plant, which is the best Open Hearth plant in the country using 
coal for fuel, and is conceded by electrical experts to be the best equipped 
plant, electrically, in the United States. The furnaces are of the station- 
ary type, and the plant includes gas producers, stockyard, calcining plant, 
and spiegel cupola. Furnaces are rated for 90 to 100 tons per heat. The 
main building is 150 ft. wide x 1230 ft. long, and is thoroughly guarded 
with safety appliances throughout. A complete description is given in 
my article of January 1, 1914, issue of the "Iron Age." Gas was put on 
the first furnace August 4, 1913, and they started making bottom August 
6, 1913. First heat was charged August 15, 1913, and tapped August 16, 
1913. The first rail from the new plant, an 85 lb. one for the Norfolk & 
Western, was rolled August 21, 1913. Owing to the depression in trade, it 
was not until July 12, 1915, that gas was put on the last furnace. 

1914-15. In 1914 the gas cleaning plants at Blast Furnaces were 
remodelled and their capacities increased to clean the gas for hot blast 
stoves. (The first plant was installed in November, 1906, and a duplicate 
plant October, 1907, for gas engine service). A third plant was started 
Sept. 17, 1914, which gave gas cleaning capacity for all the gas required 
for hot blast stoves and gas engines. The plants permit the use of much 
more economical hot blast stoves. 

The first part of the mill improvement program was completed this 
year, and incidentally one of the most revolutionary changes in the rolling 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 139 

department of the works effected with the abandonment of the old Bloom- 
ing Mill October 10, 1914. The former ingot had been 17% x 191//'. be- 
ing- broken down to a 9 l /->" bloom in seven passes, while the new 48" bloomer 
breaks a 23 5-8" square ingot down to about 17" in the first four monkey 
passes, running at a speed of 4.5 R. P. M. Four ingots were first put 
through the new monkey rolls August 12, 1914. The 40" bloomer com- 
menced operations August 30, 1914, everything being finally put into oper- 
ation at this mill October 8th, 1914. 

1915-16. The new No. 2 Mill, built for the production of diversified 
product, was completed this year, starting on regular product January 1, 
1916. The new mill is a 32 inch four-stand mill with a motor load of 79 
motors driving bloom pushers, charging and drawing machines, bloom cars, 
table rollers, lifting and tilting tables, hot saw machines, curver, 800-ton 
billet shear, billet conveyor, delivery tables, etc., and is probably the most 
modern and thoroughly equipped rail mill in the world. 

1916-17. We come now to the close of our review of this able ad- 
ministration of progress and achievement. Among other things, there 
was started in the summer of 1916, a mammoth 200,000,000-gallon (daily) 
pumping station near the foot of Thirteenth Street to take care of the work 
now being done by five smaller pumping stations scattered throughout the 
plant. This will give the plant a much more economical and efficient 
water supply system. 

1916 marks two improvements that the management had long tried 
to get: a new general office building and the Pennsylvania subway at Bes- 
semer station. The new office was commenced July 31, 1916, and the 
Pennsylvania subway thrown open to the public June 12, 1916. (1) 

In 1916 the "I" Furnace was rebuilt, with its electric skip hoist and 
automatic electrically operated bells, and is now the most modern blast 
furnace in the country. Three more of the same type are under construc- 
tion. Again, the foundry department has been developed in late years 
to a point where it has become the best foundry for moulds and stools in 
the country. Brass and general castings are also a product. 



(1) In addition to this and countless other innovations for the comfort and con- 
venience of the men, a special safety engineer, John A. Oartel, has been commissioned to 
look after the safety of the men, under the direct supervision of Mr. Frank F. Slick. 
The safety department of the works has made a name for itself in the Carnegie Steel 
Company, and many innovations and suggestions from it have been adopted throughout 
the Company. The Slick-Bremner safety belt shifter (patented) has been taken up 
throughout the Corporation. Also, a trained nurse now looks after the health and 
hygiene of the families of workingmen, and everything imaginable is being 1 done for 
the moral, physical, and spiritual welfare of the Edgar Thomson working-man. 



140 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

I believe that the achievements'" of this administration cannot be 
more strikingly portrayed (aside from the cursory review I have already 
given) than by the citation of figures on progress in the electrical depart- 
ment, for as every man knows electricity is the embodiment of speed, 
economy, and efficiency. These figures from one department alone, speak 
for themselves, and are a silent and absolute epitome of the progress of 
■the plant under Chas. E. Dinkey. — 

June 1, 1903, beginning 
of the Dinkey tenure 

of office. March, 1917. 

Electrical department employees.... 50 325 

K. W. generator capacity 2,400 10,400 

Motors installed (number) 140 1,253 

Motor horsepower 5,940 56,246 

Number of cranes 20 118 

K. W. hours generated monthly 750,000 3,946,700 

Needless to say, every record of production that the plant has ever 
made has been smashed time and again under the Dinkey administration. 
Sufficient steel rails have been produced to twice encircle the globe and 
run a half dozen lines from San Francisco to New York, in standard rail- 
way sections, or in light weight sections such as produced in No. 3 Mill, 
to lay a track clear to the moon, if that were possible, while the Blast Fur- 
naces have cast enough iron to reproduce in solid blocks of iron every sky- 
scraper and railroad depot in the city of Pittsburgh, or pave with two-inch 
iron plates, the Lincoln highway from coast to coast. 



(1) It should also be noted that the most radical improvement in standard blast 
furnace lines of the last decade was made under this administration with the blowing 
in of Furnace "I" May 6, 1907 on her third lining-. For that furnace the former 
15-foot hearth was widened to 17 feet, and the lower bosh angle widened to over 78 
degrees. From a technical standpoint, this was a pronounced departure in furnace 
construction, and was inaugurated by Mr. Dinkey and Mr. John F. Lewis against the 
advice of many blast furnace experts. 

The new lines immediately proved their worth, however, in increased furnace 
productive capacity, while they also did away, to a great extent, with the probability 
of the burden "hanging", the angle for the support of the arch that sustains the "hang" 
being more nearly straight in the new type furnace. The new design has since proved 
such a success that it is being rapidly adopted in the steel and iron world. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 141 

CHAS. E. DINKEY— THE MAN AND HIS METHODS. 

When the caldron of industrial unrest in the Turtle Creek valley 
boiled over May 1, 1916, and thousands of strikers appealed to the Edgar 
Thomson men to join them in a sympathetic strike, the employees of that 
establishment turned a deaf ear to such pleas, and instead of joining the 
strikers' ranks flew to the defence of the plant, and volunteered by hun- 
dreds to serve as guards for the works. For the hate and resentment 
that had burned in other days was dead, replaced by a loyalty and sincere 
friendship for the management that would not countenance such a proposal. 
This is the secret of his success: that through the rank and file of Mr. 
Dinkey's organization runs a comradeship, a sympathy, and an under- 
standing that lightens the heaviest burdens for every man and signally 
increases the efficiency of the whole human machine. This accomplish- 
ment alone hints at a great executive. 

The temper and disposition of the chief executive is transmitted 
down the line to the lowest paid men in the plant, and I have therefore 
in this little history gone somewhat into detail regarding the personal 
characteristics of the men in charge. Aside from this, however, I have 
wished to portray in this history, a close study of at least one great execu- 
tive. For the American business executive of the present day, like the 
intensified products of any other age, the artist of Angelo's time, the 
poet of the Elizabethan era, the philosopher of old Greece, must some day 
become a marvel for the world to ponder over. 

Most biographers of steel masters call the subject a "genius", throw 
in a few flowery figures of speech, and let it go at that. And for many 
characters in the steel business that is a prudent course. But in a book 
intended for the instruction and inspiration of posterity I intend to follow 
a different tack, for here, at last, is a character that will bear scrutiny. 

For a ready comprehension of his character in general, I would 
refer you to the mythology of the Greeks. Gifted though their deities 
were, endowed with superhuman energy and intelligence, they yet retained 
the vices and the virtues of mankind. On such a broad basis is built the 
character of Chas. E. Dinkey: though subjected from earliest childhood* 1 ' 



(1) Born Aug. 4, 1868, on a farm at Bowmanstown, Carbon Co., Pa. His father 
was Reuben Dinkey, surveyor, farmer, lumberman, and iron mine developer, who was 
the son of Jacob Dinkey and Susannah Stofflet. Mr. Dinkey's mother was Mary Eliza- 
beth Hontz, nee Hamm. (Vid. "The Dinkey Family," — S. A. Saeger). 



142 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

tu th gruelling discipline of labor,' 11 aid filled with an ambition that has 
driven him to success over every obstacle, by slow successive stages, 12 * 
his thorough human-ness has not been twisted or perverted as is so often 
the case with men of achievement. He is, in fact, so intensely human that 
he seems to have condensed in his own individuality the feelings and the 
energies of twenty men, their varied hopes and fears, joys and sorrows. 
Whoever knows him well must also understand the psychology of the race. 

All these varied and intensified emotions and vital forces he displays 
with the utter candor and abandon of a child. No suggestion of reserve 
has ever occurred to him, and with an astounding audacity he will do or 
say whatever occurs to him at any time or place. In this respect he bears 
a marked resemblance to his prototype, Captain Jones. While his anger 
is generally short lived, it is dangerous while it lasts, and those in the 
hurricane belt travel under close reefed sails. 

High strung and acutely sensitive, he is decidedly of the artistic 
temperament, and for that matter is almost the exact counterpart both 
in appearance and temperament of a music master I had in childhood. He 
has a keen sense of the niceties of literature, painting, and dramatic art, 
although but little inclined to music or poetry. With this temperament, 
however, he combines the practical, hard common sense of the American 
man of business. 

With the emotions of twenty men, however, he also has the percep- 
tion, judgment, vision, determination, and optimism of twenty men, and 
thereby hangs the tale. Backed by a tireless energy, these qualities have 
made him a great executive. 

He always gives you the impression of being larger than the job — 
that, however complex and dangerous the situation may be, he is still its 
master. 

He has a deep knowledge of human nature, and readily analyzes 
his man. Bluff and braggadocio are as unavailing as evasion and excuse, 
and for this reason nolle contendere is your best defense under criticism, 



( 1 ) The family was not rich, and as a boy he undoubtedly did his share on the 
farm. Reuben Dinkey died while the boy was still a mere child, and he then had to 
help support a struggling- family. In November, 1880, when twelve years old, he was 
employed by Carnegie Bro. & Company as messenger at the E. T. Furnaces, where 
he worked until 1883. 

(2) 1883 and '84, printing shop assistant and special student of chemistry at 
Western University of Pittsburgh; 1884 to '87, laboratory assistant; April 1, 1887, to 
July, 1889, chemist and superintendent steel foundry for Mackintosh Hemphill & Co.; 
July, 1889, to December, 1889, Ass't Sup't Blooming" Mill, Homestead; December, 1889, 
to Dec. 31, 1893, machinery inspector at Edgar Thomson; Jan. 1, 1894, to Feb. 22, 1899, 
Assistant Superintendent Foundry; Feb. 23, 1899, to May 31, 1901, Superintendent 
E. T. Foundry; June 1, 1901, to May 31, 1903, Assistant General Superintendent; 
June 1, 1903, General Superintendent Edgar Thomson Works. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 143 

such being the fairness and generosity of the man, that, like an English 
judge, if you offer no excuse for your misdeeds, he presently feels im- 
pelled to hunt for one himself. 

He never asks you to repeat or explain. He listens intently ; nothing 
distracts him from the subject in hand; his thoughts are never scattered, 
hesitating, or confused: they are centered on the single idea under dis- 
cussion like the rays from a sun-glass. His mind works at lightning speed ; 
before you have finished the sentence he has anticipated the paragraph, 
and bored in to the heart of the whole thing with the precision and power 
of an electric drill. 

He has a keen sense of the economy of time, words, and effort. 
When speaking, he does not drawl, hesitate, or beat about the bush, and 
when discussing any subject his mind does not stray among words, phrases, 
or formalities, or, for that matter, dwell upon the reputation or prestige 
of himself or any other man, but his desire is wholly and simply to get 
to the heart of the subject as quickly as possible and reach a decision by 
the shortest route, so that the thing may be laid aside. For he has not 
now, nor ever did have, any love for work itself; but like U. S. Grant, 
plunges headfirst and vigorously into every project that it may the quicker 
be done, for an incomplete affair annoys him. 

He does not waste his own or his subordinates' time, generally re- 
volving matters in his mind until he has reached a decision. In this way, 
despite the countless doubts that must assail him on many projects, he 
appears always to his officers as the most positive man of decision, so that 
his men understand what he says to be final, and his orders to be executed 
with the speed and precision of military commands. 

However, if he decides to discuss a subject at all, he encourages his 
subordinates to speak their minds freely and openly, and although he 
can hardly use the methods for this end that Tacitus attributes to the old 
German princes, (1) he attains the same result by always receiving their 
opinions politely and sympathetically, and not at such times oppressing 
them with the superiority of his office, or the divergence of his own beliefs. 

Furthermore, if he believes a man to excel in anything, whether in 
a commercial line or in any of the arts, he encourages his development in 
every way. He nourishes the growth of every man's individuality and 



(1) "Having- feasted, and being- thoroughly intoxicated. ...they frankly disclose 
their hearts and most secret purposes. ...On the day following the several sentiments 
are revised and canvassed. ..." Tacitus, "Germany," (Of the First Century). 



144 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

pride, deferring (as Gregory the (heat 11 ' advised) to the personality of 
each man, handling each according to his character, sometimes even per- 
mitting a man to perform things in an awkward manner in order that 
such a one may learn through his own experience how the task should 
be done. Nor does he take pleasure in pointing out the mistakes of his 
inferiors, or impressing them with his own superior knowledge, nor damn 
with faint praise, but if he approve at all does it whole heartedly and pos- 
itively. It has been said of him that if there is any good in a man, he can 
find it and draw it out as the magnet does the steel. 

Again, if he notices a man growing expert in any line, he constantly 
modifies his attitude toward that man, deferring more and more in his 
opinions to him according to the state of the man's development, presently, 
perhaps, yielding entirely in specific matters, for he is not afflicted with 
any short sighted pride regarding his own prestige, but has solely in mind 
the accomplishment of the thing in itself, and the development of men in 
his organization who can do that thing well. 11 ' 1 

Clear and incisive thinker that he is, he bitterly resents the in- 
trusion of the talkative rambler, and likewise is exasperated by verbose 
or involved writing, sounding words, or cant phrases, especially in business 
communications. In literature he is more liberal: the prose imagery of 
De Quincey and the balanced sentences of Gibbon hold an intimate appeal 
for him, and in lighter moments he will quote a sonorous phrase that has 
caught his fancy. 

He has a broad power of generalship, and a true sense of proportion 
and perspective, naturally placing events in their proper light, so that he 
is not troubled by trifles, nor overlooks large and important features of any 
project. 

He has enormously developed his powers of concentration and 
application. He sticks to one thing until it is done, then turns to the next. 
Hanging in his office is his motto: "Do it Now." 

His physical energy and endurance are prodigious. As a brilliant 
executive his services are constantly in demand not only for most of the 
local enterprises that come and go, such for instance as the Braddock Hos- 
pital campaign and the Braddock Jubilee celebration, but also for various 



(1) Gregory I (540-(J04 A. D.) "The proud and presumptuous are to be ad- 
monished in one way, in another the humble and diffident. The presumptuous when 
too confident despise and revile others — The humble and timid think what they do 
is very contemptible, and therefore despair The proud and presumptuous think all 
their own special thoughts and deeds the best..." Pastoral Cave. 

(2) He has the big- executive's knack of effecting- an automatic, self-winding 
organization that can stand on its own legs and run under its own power. This knack, 
by the way, is one of the dividing lines between the big and the small executive. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 145 

banking and industrial concerns. 11 ' Notwithstanding these heavy de- 
mands on his abilities, he still has energy to spare, and must needs join a 
dozen or so societies, (2 » clubs, (S) and fraternal orders.' 41 These not suf- 
ficing, he hies himself away every year to the wilds of the Rockies or the 
Canadian woods, where he sleeps on the ground or the snow, and tramps for 
miles in strenuous hunts for big game. 151 He has a great reverence for the 
grandeur of Nature, and in such surroundings he is at last at home. 

His mental energy, like his emotions, is 20-man-power. He is an 
omniverous reader, and remembers what he reads. He knows something 
about every subject under the sun. He is keenly curious about everything 
in the universe, and desires to know at once all about anything that may 
come to his notice. He preserves toward life, in fact, the fresh and un- 
sullied interest of a child that is just learning to read well. With such a 
spirit, it is impossible to avoid reaching the very highest plane of educa- 
tion. 

As a result of this broad development, each man believes that in 
C. E. Dinkey he has found a brother spirit, and the analyses of his charac- 
ter that I hear generally remind me of the three blind men describing the 
elephant.' 61 The astronomer insists that he is interested in stars, the 
chemist in chemistry, while the workman is positive that he is interested 
in steel. None seems to grasp the idea that he might be interested in them 
all. 



(1) President, Board of Trustees, Braddock Carnegie Free Library; Director 
in the following: Braddock National Bank, Bessemer Trust Co., North Penn Coal Co., 
Western Allegheny Railroad, North Penn Supply Co., Finance Committee, Masonic 
Hall Association of Braddock. This article was hardly finished before Governor Brum- 
baugh appointed him to the Welfare Committee of Pennsylvania. At the moment of 
going to press his successful prosecution of the local Liberty Loan and American Red 
Cross campaig-ns furnishes another example. 

(2) Alumni Society, University of Pittsburgh; American Institute of Mining 
Engineers; American Iron & Steel Institute; Major, United Boys Brigade of America; 
Philadelphia Speedway Association; McKinley Commemorative Association, Hon. Mem- 
ber Major A. M. Harper Post 181, G. A. R. 

(3) Americus Republican Club; Pittsburgh Athletic Association; Edgewood 
Country Club; Duquesne Club (Pittsburgh); Pittsburgh Country Club; German Club 
(Pittsburgh); Lewis & Clark Club; Braddock Rifle Club. 

(4) Braddock's Field Lodge 510, F. & A. M.; B. P. O. Elks 883, Braddock; 
Shiloh Chapter 257, Royal Arch Masons; Tancred Commandery No. 48, Knights Temp- 
lar, Pittsburgh; Gourgas Lodge of Perfection, Pittsburgh; Pennsylvania Council 
Princes of Jerusalem, Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh Chapter of Rose Croix; Pennsylvania 
Consistory; Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Masonry; Syria Temple, Ancient Ac- 
cepted Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, for North America; Arab Patrol, A. A. 
O. N. M. S.; Royal Order of Scotland. 

(5) His home and the steel works club house are filled with moose, bear, deer, 
elk, and caribou trophies of these hunts. 

(6) One blind man felt the elephant's side, and thought he must be like a barn; 
another found his trunk, and thought he must resemble the snake, while a third was at 
a leg and thought he must be like a tree Buddhist Folk Lore. 



146 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

He is a perpetual optimist, with the occasional fits of depression 
that are the earmarks of that type. He will entertain a steady hope for 
the success of some project long after everyone else has given up. The 
morning after an election, for instance, it is impossible to convince him 
that his favorites have lost. With this same stubborn, blind hope, and 
continual trying and experimenting, if it is humanly possible the project 
actually will finally go through. He is a thorough going pragmatist in 
the philosophical terminology of that word:" 1 if there is no chance he 
makes one. 

Except for this perpetual optimism, his philosophy of life is clear- 
ly portrayed in the old Graeco-Roman school of Stoicism. This is the more 
striking because he seems to have little interest, if any, in the vagaries of 
metaphysics, and must have concocted his own code. His is no Billiken (2) 
philosophy of "things as they ought to be," but a stern realization of things 
as they are and life as it is. He never complains, and the idea of receiving 
sympathy is highly distasteful to him. Both his sayings, in fact, and the 
general conduct of his life, recall so vividly the writings of Aurelius (3) 
that I am incorporating some of the most striking passages here in the 
text, being so highly apropos and descriptive of my subject : 

"Attend immediately to the matter before thee. . . .Have freedom 
of will and undeviating steadiness of purpose, not to look to anything for 
a moment but to reason. . . .Not to busy oneself about trifling things. . . . 
Unchangeable resolution in the things determined after due consider- 
ation. . . .Begin the day by saying to thyself, "I shall meet with the busy- 
body, the ungrateful, the ignorant, the deceitful, the envious, the unsocial. 
All these qualities they have by reason of their ignorance .... Every mo- 
ment think steadily as a Roman and a man to do what thou hast in hand 
with perfect and simple dignity and justice. . . .Do every act as though it 
were thy last.... Let nothing be done without a purpose. .. .Whatever 
happens happens justly, and if thou examine carefully thou wilt find a 
cause. . . .Do not act as though thou wert going to live 10,000 years. . . . 



(1) Pragmatism, an anti-intel)ectualistic philosophy revived by Wiliam James 
about 1898. The theory may be roughly summarized as one that supports the reali- 
zation of the idea, and that actualities are in our own hands for shaping; that the- 
ories may be made facts, and the world what we think it is and what we choose to 
make it. 

(2) Billiken — A household statuette of an Oriental god much in vogue about 
1906 and 1907. The deity was labeled, "The God of Things as They Ought to Be." 

(•".! Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, noblest of the Roman emperors and chief 
exponent of the culmination of the Stoic philosophy. His reign was marked by jus- 
tice and moderation and although he was sole ruler of the civilized and known world, 
his "Meditations" are remarkable for their modesty, melancholy, and deep sincerity. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 147 

Receive honor without arrogance and be ready to let it go ... . Men exist 
for the sake of one another. Teach them or bear with them." 

He loves life, motion, color, action, and whatever is forceful and 
dramatic. He takes more than a passing interest in animals, especially 
of the domestic types.' 11 Children always please him, and he is invari- 
ably delighted by an invasion from his own family. (2) 

Though faithful and unflinching in his resentments as Captain 
Jones, he is equally resolute in his friendships, and to many a man has 
been a tidns Achates. 

He never shows envy for the fortune of any man, and never was 
there a man with less petty malice in his soul, or less of jealousy. Weak, 
womanish, cowardly, indecisive characters, charlatans, and quack reform- 
ers are his detestation. 

His mental life has a basis of facts: he distinguishes clearly between 
what men say of a thing and that thing in itself: that twenty men calling 
a house a castle does not make that house a castle. For the most part ut- 
terly indifferent to the opinions of men, whether in praise or blame, he 
realizes entirely that the world cannot honor or humiliate a man, but only 
the intelligence and virtue of a man can honor him, or his ignorance and 
crimes disgrace him. 

He has highly developed a sense of humor, which at all times 
lightens the strain of duty. What is more rare, he appreciates the joke 
just as much if he is at the wrong end of the affair. (:i) 

Blandly cordial, pleasant, and approachable, he is usually pleased 
to mask beneath a plausible air of superficiality a nature that is as deep as 
the proverbial well. He is pre-eminently long-headed, and plans for ten, 
fifteen, twenty years ahead, so that men often think conditions occur for- 
tunately by mere chance, when he had so designed them to happen long 
before. 

He is eternally willing and eager to learn — any time — any place, 
and will hear the lowest paid workman on the plant, in hope of getting 
some new idea. 

Trained and disciplined as his mind is, he has always been to his 



(1) All species appeal to him, especially dog's of the larger, smooth coated 
breeds. 

(2) Married Lelia Ada Boyd, daughter of Robert Boyd of Mt. Lebanon, Pa., 
June 15, 1899. They have two children, Margaret Elizabeth Eurana and Charles 
Eug-ene, Jr. 

(3) Hearing that Mr. Dinkey is starting on another hunting trip, S. B. Shel- 
don, a Duluth steel man, sends him a pop-g-un, photograph of a moose, and detailed 
instructions as to the killing of that brute. This absurd donation has been re- 
ligiously preserved. 



148 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

men a developer, and not an exploiter. 11 ' Surrounded by men most of 
whom do not approach him in mental brilliance or caliber, his daily life 
calls for the constant exercise of patience and forbearance, and these 
qualities are more and more marked as the years roll by. For his own sat- 
isfaction, he will occasionally relieve himself by a deep and velvety irony, 
which often as not passes unnoticed. Gibbon, the "lord of irony," could 
teach him little of that art. 

His ends are attained by various means: sometimes with a Machia- 
vellian subtlety, and again with the blunt directness of a Bonaparte. Ly- 
ing is the unforgivable sin, and he has the fatally retentive memory of 
a bull elephant. 

Charitable and open handed, his giving is so broad and general that 
it seems to be assumed as a matter of course. Impelled by his high sense 
of efficiency, he will sometimes drive his men like a Cossack, but under- 
neath everything lies a kindly and a generous nature. To his young men 
he is another Jones — versatile, commanding, brilliant, inspiring. Sociable 
and magnetic, he is at his best in the midst of his fellowmen, although 
almost equally content with the blessings of solitude. Always considerate 
of others (sometimes with an exquisite delicacy) the safety of his men 
at the mill lies nearest his heart, and, as I have mentioned in the descrip- 
tion of his administration, he has done everything that the human brain 
can devise to make the steel mill safe. In safety work, now the cry 
everywhere, he was a pioneer. 

How shall we accurately estimate such a character? I have always 
thought that the absolute standard was the value of the man to the race, 
for the individual passes quickly away, like a drop of water through a 
waterfall, while the race — like the waterfall — remains forever. 

When we consider what has most elevated the human race we come 
down finally to three basic qualities: Reason, which has lifted man above 
the brute ; Hope, which is the basis of courage, ambition and endeavor; and 
Charity, through which man has become a gregarious animal and learned 
to give and forbear. Through these three qualities mankind, despite a 
thousand vices, has eternally progressed. Not that all men have had these 
qualities, but that somewhere in the race noble souls have always possessed 
them, and lifted their brothers upward. 

These qualities then, are the most precious possessions of the race, 



( 1 ) Within the last few months I was informed by a big New York executive 
that the office of Chas. E. Dinkey was one of the very best executive training schools 
for the young man in the United States. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 149 

and whoever has a single one of them should be honored among men. But 
whoever possesses all of them, and having himself great development of 
the reasoning faculty has developed and strengthened it in other men — 
having himself great optimism has encouraged hope, courage and endeavor 
in those about him, and having charity has borne with the ignorance of his 
fellow men, taught them, and lifted them up, he has been of the true 
nobility of our race. 

Reason, optimism, charity: these are the cardinal characteristics of 
Chas. E. Dinkey. 



THE MAKING OF THE LOCAL AMERICAN. 

BY WM. J. AIKEN. ESQ. 

The object of this article is to give briefly a chronological survey 
of the entry into this neighborhood of the various races that now compose 
its population, to scan the causes leading to their coming, and to note the 
processes involved in their Americanization. Like a dramatic per- 
formance, into which in regular order are introduced the characters, who 
remain upon the boards at the close to greet the audience, so by degrees, 
into the drama of American affairs, as well as upon the stage of local life, 
each with a part to play, have come the types of all the world; or like 
a vast choral movement beginning first with a few voices, then, at intervals 
augmented by others of a different kind, and finally closing with a united 
chorus, each voice adding something indispensable to the symphonic 
effect, so, likewise, now join in this vicinity a multitude of tongues telling 
us the nations of the earth are here assembled. 

Mankind, as an animal, is both gregarious and migratory. The his- 
tory of any race is largely the story of the wanderings of its ancestors, 
and their final union with each other. Even as a number of modern na- 
tions, among which, for example, may be mentioned the English, Spanish, 
German, and Italian, have resulted from centuries of amalgamation of 
various peoples, so the same process which produced those nations, but in 
a far more wonderful way, is now at work upon this soil. The English 
race of today represents a composite of Angle, Saxon, Dane, Roman, Jute, 
Celt, Pict, Scot, and Norman, whereas all the races of the world, with 
their ancestral combinations of blood, are being welded together into a 
new race in America ; and nowhere in our country does the refining cruci- 
ble burn more brightly or with finer and more marked results than in this 
immediate district. 

The Swedes, Dutch, and English Quakers had the eastern part of 
Pennsylvania pretty well settled by the time George Washington was born. 
The settlements were scattered and often consisted of only a few families, 
but as early as 1740 Philadelphia counted her population by thousands, 
and we read of the villages of Burleigh, Haddonfield, Chester, Lancaster, 
Shrewsburg, Squan, Bethlehem, Wyoming, Shamokin, and Wehaloosing. 
Some of these towns, such as the last one named, contained more Indians 
than whites, and a number are historic for the terrible massacres of set- 
tlers by the Indians. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 151 

The eastern part of the province was thickly enough settled by 1750 
to encourage newcomers and the more adventurous settlers to move west- 
ward. So it happens that some Scotch and Irish families, having found 
eastern Pennsylvania well in the hands of others, pushed on over the 
Alleghanies to the frontier, a pioneer family or two being in this neighbor- 
hood when the French arrived to fortify the junction point of the three 
rivers where, later, was to rise the great city of Pittsburgh. Reliable 
historical documents inform us that some settlers gave aid to General 
Braddock's defeated army. After General Forbes captured Fort Duquesne, 
and the English, having recovered from the defeat inflicted upon Brad- 
dock's army, had been successful in their struggle with the French for 
mastery of the western world, more Scotch, Irish, and English came to 
settle along the Monongahela near Turtle Creek. 

The Indians mingled freely with the white settlers until as late as 
1820 gradually, however, dying off or moving further westward. The 
Penns, by a last treaty with the Indians, had secured from the Six Nations 
at Fort Stanwix in 1784 quit claims to all lands in Western Pennsylvania 
not formerly obtained. 

The next people to make their appearance in large numbers were 
the Welsh, who arrived after the opening of the coal mines and the smelting 
of ore had begun. The numbers of Scotch, Irish, and English increased 
rapidly, the population of the British Isles, especially Ireland, markedly 
affecting the immigration. Just before the Civil War a number of 
German families lived in the district and during the war period hundreds 
more arrived. Now and then a Dutch family moved over the mountains 
from central Pennsylvania and a few Hollanders came direct from the 
Netherlands. It will be noted that the races mentioned so far came from 
Northern Europe. This was the case until about the year 1870 or a lit- 
tle later. With that year closes the first period or phase of immigration. 
Beginning with 1870 the additions to our population from alien lands as- 
sumes a character differing widely from the earlier period. 

A number of reasons may be assigned for the changing appear- 
ance of the incoming throng as well as for the added impetus marked in 
immigration. About the time mentioned above, the great iron industry 
for which our district is universally famous, began to thrive and a demand 
arose for labor which the section itself could not supply. Furthermore, 
the preservation of the Union and the consequent international strength- 
ening of the United States, together with disruptions and dissatisfaction 
in Europe persuaded many to leave their native land. The overcrowded 



152 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

autocracies and kingdoms of central Europe had nothing to offer even the 
sturdiest man, physically or mentally, except endless toil for a few cents a 
day, the scantiest fare, and the harshest burdens of taxation. The great 
mass of people, weighed down by the sufferings of years, moved under 
their relentless yoke as if life were a thing unfortunately thrust upon 
them. In the darkness of their existence glowed a spark of ambition for 
their children that filled their dreams with brightness. America, land 
of liberty and opportunity, and all their lives were longing for, beckoned 
them to come. Great were the resolves of heart. Nobody left his home 
without a purpose. All came to create a better future for themselves. 
Wearied with oppression they hailed the lamp of freedom. America's 
invitation offered the realization promised in their dreaming. By thou- 
sands came the home and freedom seekers. An exodus from central, 
southern and southeastern Europe began such as never before has been 
witnessed in the chronicles of nations. 

Pittsburgh at the beginning of this new phase of immigration was 
already known as the Smoky City or the Iron City on account of its iron 
mills, and Braddock contained the largest steel and iron works then in 
the country. Large numbers of people came to our section. Every day 
brought some one who had come from a foreign land and spoke a foreign 
tongue. Sometimes the newcomers arrived by train loads, coming directly 
from the ship that had borne them across the Atlantic. The numbers 
from northern Europe and the British Isles continued, but the numbers 
from southern and central Europe far exceeded the former until the latter 
made more than seventy-five per cent of all our population gained through 
immigration. 

It is estimated that from 1776 to 1820 the number of arrivals in the 
United States amounted to two hundred fifty thousand. Of this number 
fully ninety per cent settled at first in the larger centers of population near 
the seaboard, and moved westward slowly. In the year 1821 the country re- 
ceived 9127 immigrants, a few hundred of whom came directly to Western 
Pennsylvania. By the year 1842 the number of arrivals for the year 
amounted to 104,565, over one third of which number came directly to 
western towns, Pittsburgh by that time having become a flourishing bus- 
iness city. During the years of the Civil War over 100,000 each year were 
received and the proportion of westward travelers was large. The num- 
bers continued to increase. There was plenty of room in America, plenty 
of work was to be had, the greater population made more work for new- 
comers, and a good report spread over Europe. In 1873 the number of 
arrivals had increased to 459,803 due to the coming of the central and 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 153 

southern Europeans. During the years 1877 and 1878 the numbers drop- 
ped to 141,000 and 138,000 but in 1882 increased to the tremendous number 
of 788,992. From that time the number never fell below 229,299, which 
was the number for the year 1898. The million mark was passed in 1905 
and the banner year reached in 1907 with 1,285,349. From 1903 they 
came "a million a year" until 1915, when on account of the great war the 
number dropped back to 326,700 and for the year ending 1916 the number 
was 298,826. 

Western Pennsylvania originally consisted of the one county, called 
Cumberland, out of which by Act of 1771 Bedford County was erected, and 
later by Act of 1773 Westmoreland County. In 1781 Washington County 
was erected, out of which were carved Fayette and Greene Counties. Alle- 
gheny County was erected out of parts of Westmoreland and Washington 
Counties in 1788, and later, as the population increased, Beaver, Butler, 
Mercer, Crawford, Erie, Warren, Venango and Armstrong Counties were 
carved out of the original Allegheny County. This forming of counties 
gives some little idea of the gradual increase of population and settlement 
of the territory. People were induced to come westward by public auction 
of lots held in Philadelphia in 1785, where tracts containing 200 to 350 
acres in Western Pennsylvania were sold at prices ranging from three 
pence to eight shillings an acre and patents were issued to purchasers. 
Many flourishing cities now stand on ground purchased at these figures. 
Unsold tracts were gradually disposed of by the Commonwealth on war- 
rants and surveys. Allegheny County was all disposed of by 1813 when 
an Act was passed to cure any defects that might have existed in these 
hasty warrant and survey titles. Revolutionary soldiers were encouraged 
to take up lands by being granted certain 200 to 500 acre tracts free. 
The Pennsylvania Population Company and the Holland Company took 
out hundreds of warrants in 1792 and 1793. Examination of the records 
shows that nearly all these lands were held at that time by Scotch, Irish, 
or English people, the exception being German or Dutch. Today the 
records disclose the fact that many of these same lands, for the most part 
cut up into small pieces or town lots, are held by people who learned to 
speak English after they arrived in America. 

Having outlined the genei'al scope of the populating of our dis- 
trict, it will now be interesting to observe the present composition of 
the peoples in the three adjoining boroughs, compiled from the census 
statistics of 1910. Braddock at that time was accredited with 19,837 per- 
sons, of whom the native white of native parentage numbered 4,845. There 



154 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

were 6,786 persons made up of those who were of foreign or mixed parent- 
age. The foreign born numbered 7,299, the negroes numbered 421, and the 
Chinese 6. In North Braddock, out of a population of 11,824, there were 
3,811 native white of native parentage, 4,360 native white of foreign or 
mixed parentage, and 3,365 foreign born, the negroes counting 287 and 
the Chinese 1. Rankin whose population was 6,042 had 704 native white 
of native parentage, 1,823 native white of foreign or mixed parentage, 
3,072 foreign born white, and 443 negroes. Attention need not be called 
to the amazing proportion of native white of foreign or mixed parentage 
and the foreign born to the native white of native parentage. The fol- 
lowing statistics for Braddock and North Braddock explain themselves, 
reliable figures for Rankin not being available: Of the foreign born Brad- 
dock had 2,238 from Austria; 12 from Belgium; 45 from Canada; 1 from 
Denmark; 261 from England; 5 from Finland; 6 from France; 446 from 
Germany; 21 from Greece; 1529 from Hungary; 481 from Ireland; 445 
from Italy; 9 from Roumania; 1225 from Russia; 143 from Scotland; 334 
from Sweden; 7 from Switzerland; 70 from Wales; and 21 from various 
other countries. In North Braddock the countries represented by the 
foreign born and their numbers were Austria 724 ; Belgium 4 ; Canada 19 ; 
Denmark 2 ; England 368 ; Finland 4 ; France 40 ; Germany 579 ; Greece 9 ; 
Hungary 411; Ireland 353; Italy 59; Russia 190; Scotland 250; Sweden 
218; Switzerland 45; Wales 55; and other countries 35. 

Of the native white both of whose parents were born in foreign 
lands the numbers follow. For Braddock, both parents born in the coun- 
tries named, Austria 1049 ; Canada 15 ; England 132 ; France 9 ; Germany 
668; Hungary 1191; Ireland 831; Italy 210; Russia 557; Scotland 106; 
Sweden 224 ; Switzerland 1 ; Wales 79 ; and all others of mixed foreign 
parentage 460. For North Braddock, both parents born in the countries 
named, Austria 646; Canada 7; England 248; France 16; Germany 682; 
Hungary 208; Ireland 630; Italy 46; Russia 135; Scotland 117; Sweden 
237; Switzerland 31; Wales 60; and all others of mixed foreign parentage 
315. 

From this enumeration it is apparent that the Braddock district 
is sheltering representatives from nearly all the countries of the globe. 
Here they dwell together in peace and harmony, gradually being molded 
and fashioned to conform with the American ideal. Some races take up 
new customs and follow American principles more readily than others, ow- 
ing to circumstances, traditions, laws, and racial and family tendencies in 
the home land. A few have come to exploit the advantages in the United 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 155 

States, and like the farmer who continually takes a crop from the rich 
soil but never revives it, so they take all they can get from American life 
and never return anything. Forgetful of the wrongs they fled in Europe, 
they aid in nothing in the preservation of human rights in their refuge. 
Others, selfish, suspicious, and superstitious, hold themselves aloof from 
the means of progress, and clinging to ancient holidays, former customs, 
and the very things once odious to them, retard their own development 
and hinder the advance of the town they dwell in and the nation at large. 
Again, many are backward and fear to enter into the life of those about 
them, continuing in their old associations, speaking their mother tongue 
and making little effort to learn the new language. A large majority, 
however, especially marked in their children, readily adapt themselves to 
the conditions found in the new country and are quickly assimilated by 
the civic public. Much allowance must always be made and judgment 
never rendered hastily in considering this remarkable union of peoples. 
It must ever be remembered that they have come from countries differing 
greatly in customs and laws from the United States and naturally the old 
ideas are discarded slowly. It is extremely difficult for the average per- 
son over thirty years of age to acquire a ready use of a new language 
and practically impossible for anybody past forty years to learn to speak 
a new tongue, with any degree of proficiency. Even young people of less 
than twenty can rarely gain such complete mastery of the new language 
as not to show their native accent. However, the children of those whose 
efforts at the American language are slow and broken, show scarcely 
any accent, and a few years of school, associating with other young Amer- 
icans, gives them entire use of the language their parents cannot com- 
pletely master. 

The people who have been coming among us represent some of 
the very best element in Europe. We do not get the maimed, or paupers, 
or criminals. Our immigration laws are strict and are being made more 
strict; and are especially aimed at preventing the entry of those who are 
physically, mentally, or morally unfit to become American citizens or who 
might become a burden or a nuisance to any community. The underlying 
question governing admission of persons into this country is the qualifica- 
tion of citizenship. Every alien admitted knows he has passed the first re- 
quirements under the law for becoming a citizen. It is his duty, if he 
intends to make his home in America, to become in due time an American 
citizen. It is also the duty of American citizens to encourage the alien to 
become a citizen for it is only by such means that this process of ab- 
sorption and Americanization can meet with the best results. 



156 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

Citizenship statistics show that in Braddock for 1910 there were 
929 naturalized citizens, 281 declarants or those who have taken out what 
is commonly called their first papers, 2,781 aliens and 112 unknown. In 
North Braddock there were 655 naturalized citizens, 215 declarants, 645 
aliens, and 107 unknown. In Rankin there were 264 naturalized citizens. 
These figures show that a great many foreigners remain foreigners. Many 
instances exist where the parents and one or more children are aliens 
while other children, having been born here, are citizens. Under most 
circumstances the aliens have failed to become citizens simply through neg- 
lect. Their allegiance is with America, their home and interests are 
here, they are citizens in all but name and the law. All who find the Amer- 
ican principles of government to their liking and appreciate what the stars 
and stripes stand for should take a further step, and, renouncing forever 
the ties that bind them to the old world, should take the oath which makes 
them citizens in the new world. 

Of late, influenced by the great war, many who have long been 
residents here and never were naturalized, have taken out their citizenship 
papers. The figures in the naturalization office show a diversified array 
of peoples, as will be seen by the following numbers, taken from a recent 
report of that office. Out of 205 applicants the number from each coun- 
try was as follows: Australia 1, France 1, Syria 1, Roumania 2, Norway 1, 
Turkey 1, Croatia 2, Italy 21, England 7, Denmark 1, Greece 3, Canada 3, 
Sweden 5, Switzerland 1, Ireland 21, Germany 25, Hungary 37, Russia 21, 
Scotland 3, Austria 47, Bohemia 1. This proportion of the various races 
will hold true to about every 200 applicants. 

The establishment of evening schools for teaching the language, 
explaining the naturalization laws, and the requirements, duties, and re- 
sponsibilities of citizenship has been another influential factor in causing 
many aliens to become citizens. The Carnegie Free Library of Braddock 
has supported one of these schools for many years, being one of the first 
in the United States to offer instruction in citizenship. Various civic 
bodies and organizations in other cities are now doing such work. The 
Bureau of Naturalization at Washington, D. C. has outlined a course 
of study for prospective citizens and is encouraging the public schools 
throughout the country to furnish evening instruction. The bureau co- 
operates with the schools by furnishing the list of names of applicants for 
citizenship in the different districts, and by encouraging the applicants to 
attend the schools during the period of ninety days which elapses between 
their petition for second papers and the granting of citizenship. Two 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 157 

years ago the Pittsburgh Public Schools installed an evening school of 
citizenship and last year Braddock had an evening school for foreigners. 
North Braddock has had in former years such evening schools and Rankin 
is planning one the coming year. All of these schools are well attended and 
much interest is shown by those who come. 

The process of Americanization goes on. The races intermingle. The 
second generation from birth breathes the atmosphere charged with Amer- 
ican ideals, principles, laws, customs, language, and liberty. Hyphens 
disappear. One flag becomes the only flag. Kindly disposed toward their 
ancestral connections, they hold the land of their birth first in all their 
thoughts. International brotherhood approaches with the Americaniza- 
tion of the mingled races of the world, making possible the court of nations. 
The American race representing the unification of the best elements of 
all peoples is sounding the dominant note in civilization. Peaceable and 
progressive at home, and respected abroad, the American is known where- 
ever mankind dwells, and such is the race of people we have in Braddock, 
North Braddock and Rankin. 



THE POST OFFICE 

BY CHARLES L. CUMMINGS. 

No other thing during the past seventy-five years can show the rapid 
and continuous advancement of the United States Post Office Department. 
It is told of the visit of General Lafayette to the present site of Braddock 
in 1825, that he was anxious to dispatch a letter to President John Quincy 
Adams in Washington. At that time there was no post office between 
Pittsburgh and Greensburg, and as a consequence it was necessary to send 
the letter to the former city for mailing. Mails were sent to Washington 
but once every fortnight, and then by "pony" express. The schedule 
time for the journey was three days, which was considered very fast. 
Today a letter mailed in the Braddock post office in the early morning 
reaches Washington the same afternoon. 

It was in the year 1853 that President Franklin Pearce appointed 
the first Postmaster at "Braddock's Field, Pa." Previous to that date 
Turtle Creek was the address of mail for the valley, the post office at 
that point having been established some twelve years before. In 1853 
letters were few and far between to the average person, and the Post- 
master, while considered a personage of importance by the citizens, re- 
quired some other means of livelihood in addition to the small amount 
paid by Uncle Sam for handling the mails. On December 27, 1853, Wil- 
liam N. Fleming was appointed as the first Postmaster, and the post office 
was opened for business on January 18, 1854. Mr. Fleming kept a 
small store at a point near where the intersection of Tenth street and 
Braddock avenue now is, and across from the Methodist church. This 
site was used as a post office until September 1861, when the building 
was burned, and the then Postmaster Fleming built a structure, part of 
which is still standing. The latter building is located near the corner of 
Robinson street and Braddock avenue. 

Postmaster Fleming was succeeded by Henry Bailey, whose com- 
mission was dated June 21, 1855, and he in turn was succeeded by George 
M. Young on August 24, 1857. At the opening of the Civil War in 1861 
Postmaster Young enlisted for service in the Pennsylvania volunteers, 
and served until wounded at the second battle of Bull Run. The pres- 
ent historian has been unable to find any further trace of Mr. Young, as 
to whether he ever returned to Braddock, or whether he died from the ef- 
fects of his wounds. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 159 

Upon the resignation of Mr. Young, President Lincoln named Dr. 
William J. Lynn, who was commissioned on August 31, 1861. Dr. Lynn 
it was who moved the post office after the fire mentioned to the building 
still standing. It is told of the doctor that on some occasions when the 
mails would arrive he would be out calling on a patient, and patrons of 
the post office would be forced to await his return. On one occasion, so 
the story goes, a lady was at a very low point in health, and the mail 
was not distributed until the following day, the good doctor considering 




BRADDOCK POST OFFICE, 1884. 

his duty to suffering humanity as far out weighing his duty to the Gov- 
ernment. Doctor Lynn served the second longest term of any Postmaster 
in the history of the local office, his term extending to December 18, 1873, 
and then it was ended only at his own request, owing to his failing health. 
On December 19, 1873 President Grant named as Postmaster Wil- 
liam Fritzuis. Mr. Fritzuis was a brother of Mrs. William H. Speer, living 
at present with her daughter (Mrs. Ellis Y. Hall) at 431 Second street, 
Braddock. Mr. Fritzuis died the following spring, and he was succeeded 
as Postmaster by his wife, Mrs. Mary A. Fritzuis, her commission dating 
from May 4, 1874. Mrs. Fritzuis was the only woman commissioned Post- 
master of Braddock, and is now the oldest living one. The lady served until 



160 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



December 13, 1876, with credit to her sex and to the service. After 
leaving the service Mrs. Fritzuis married David H. Graham, and now 
lives at Meamimi, Florida. 

On December 14, 1876, James K. Mills, one of the original Mills 
boys, and whose death occurred a few years since at his home on the 
corner of Fourth street and Mills avenue, was appointed Postmaster. Mr. 
Mills moved the Post Office to a site on the corner of Braddock avenue and 
Ninth Street, during his term. Mr. Mills' service was featured by two or 




ALVA C. NICKEL. 



ORIGINAL LETTER CARRIERS. 
Reading from left to right. 

PHILLIP C. RODERUS. ROBERT PRICE. 



HARRY FOGIE. 



three very far reaching changes in the post office, the main one being 
the change of the name of the office to correspond with that of the rail- 
road stations and of the borough itself. On March 7, 1878 the President 
ordered the name changed from "Braddock's Field," to Braddock, and the 
post office made the first start toward metropolitan airs by being advanced 
from the lowest class (the fourth) to that of the third class. Mr. Mills 
had for his assistant for a time both Wallace K. Benn and William W. 
McCleary. 

Mr. Mills refused to become a candidate for reappointment and on 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 161 

April 17, 1882, William W. McCleary was named, and the post office moved 
to a site where the Woolworth five and ten cent store is now located, a 
building being- erected adjoining- the old McCleary homestead. During 
Mr. McCleary's term of office Mr. George A. Todd, now cashier of the 
Braddock National Bank, served as his assistant. 

The years 1882 and 1883 was the time of the depredations of the 
notorious Gordon gang in and around Braddock. Many business houses 
were robbed during this period, and the post office was no exception. Mr. 
McCleary occupied rooms directly back of and above the Post Office. One 
night he was awakened from his sleep by a noise which he thought was 
like an explosion in the office below him. Hurrying to a window he found 
that robbers were in the post office. Picking up the first thing in the 
room he could lay his hands on, he threw it through the window with the 
idea of alarming the neighborhood. The noise frightened the robbers 
and they made their get away, taking with them about $700 in postage 
stamps and $40 in money. The robbers were later captured, Mr. McCleary 
helping in the identification, but none of the loot was ever recovered. The 
Department some time afterwards relieved the Postmaster of the 
burden of the loss of the stamps, but the money loss was made good by 
Mr. McCleary. 

"Duke," as Mr. McCleary was known, served as Postmaster until 
April 6, 1886, when the first Democrat was appointed in the person of 
"Squire" J. M. Hughes. The squire found the duties of the office more 
exacting than he had either the time or inclination to devote to them, and 
resigned the first of the following June, and Daniel J. McCarthy, a brother 
of the present Chief of Police of Braddock, was appointed June 11, 1886, by 
President Cleveland to fill the unexpired term. "Danny", as Mr. McCarthy 
was affectionately known by the great majority of the residents of the 
vicinity at that time, made one of the most popular postmasters in the 
office's history. At the time of his appointment Mr. McCarthy was con- 
ducting a weekly newspaper known as The Tribune, which later he con- 
solidated with the Daily News when he came into possession of the latter 
paper. 

The Republican party coming back into power, there was appointed 
for the first time on June 10, 1890, a man that nearly every one in Brad- 
dock and vicinity associates with the post office, Christian H. Sheets. At 
the time of the coming of Mr. Sheets as Postmaster the office was still 
located in the McCleary building, on the site of the Woolworth store, and 
the total receipts of the office for the year 1890 totaled but $8,654.24. On 



162 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

January 1, 1892 the office receipts had expanded to over ten thousand dol- 
lars, the site of the post office was changed to a location on Library street 
(or Burton street as then known) and the Department raised the standing 
of the office from the third to the second class. 

On December 1, 1892, the Department authorized the establishment 
of city delivery in the boroughs of Braddock and North Braddock, and 
provided for this service the appointment of four carriers. The Post- 
master named the following men for the positions: Harry H. Fogie, Alva 
C. Nickel, Philip Roderus and Walter E. Collins. The first three named 
are still in the service, carrying mail daily at the local office, having served 
continuously since first appointed. Mr. Collins was a man well up in years 
and suffered from the effects of a wound received in the Civil War, and 
finding the work more arduous than he could stand, resigned some ten 
days after his appointment, Mr. Robert A. Price being given the vacancy 
thus caused. 

Mr. Sheets served as Postmaster until the thirtieth of July, 1894, 
when the Democratic party again coming into power, President Cleveland 
appointed Mr. Moses M. Shaw as Postmaster, only after one of the bitter- 
est contests for a political position in the history of the borough. Among 
other candidates for the position at that time were ex-postmaster Daniel 
J. McCarthy, M. M. Kier, and W. A. McDevitt, Henry L. Anderson and 
William L. Douglass. Mr. Shaw appointed as his assistant Mr. Walter 
McBeth. 

On August 1, 1898, Christian H. Sheets was again appointed Post- 
master to succeed Mr. Shaw, a position he held continuously through the 
line of Republican presidents until February 10, 1915, the longest period 
ever served by any Postmaster in Allegheny county up to that time. 

During Mr. Sheets' service as Postmaster the Post Office was moved 
from the rooms in the Masonic building to quarters in the Braznell building 
directly across Library street, remaining there for over eleven years, or 
until the completion of the Federal Building. 

On October 31, 1900, the post office at Rankin Station was dis- 
continued, and free delivery from the Braddock office was installed to 
serve that borough. Rankin Station had been a post office since August 
20, 1886. Mr. Walter S. Colmery was the first postmaster, and was follow- 
ed in succession by Mr. Owen W. Sheeky, on July 19, 1888, F. G. Bishoff 
on April 15, 1889, Owen W. Sheeky again on October 17, 1893, and finally 
by George W. Nash on September 27, 1897. 

On December 9, 1907, a bill authorizing the expenditure of $150,- 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 163 

000 for the construction of a Post Office Building at Braddock, was intro- 
duced in the House of Representatives by Hon. John Dalzell, then the 
representative from this district. This amount was later reduced to $125,- 
000 by the conference committee, and on May 30, 1908, the bill passed 
Congress. In the fall of that year the Government advertised for sites for 
the location of the building, and stipulated that sites offered must be ap- 
proximately 150 feet square, preferably on the corner of two streets, 
and within eighty rods of the Pennsylvania railroad station. Bids were 
received for the following sites: 

(1) Corner Verona street and Maple way, 120x160 feet, offered 
by Robert McDonald, for $32,000. 

(2) Corner John street and Maple way, 120x160 feet, offered by 
James A. Russell and Henry S. Leigh ton, for $34,000. 

(3) Corner Sixth street and Maple way, 126x138 feet, offered by 
Nicholas Glasser, for $40,000. 

(4) Corner Halket avenue and Tenth street, 75x185 feet, offered 
by Mrs. Elizabeth Dowling, for $22,000. 

(5) Corner Parker avenue, Moody and Orchard streets, 150x150 
feet, offered by Thomas James, for $40,000. 

A representative from the Treasury Department visited Braddock, 
and made an attempt to secure a bid for a site on Braddock avenue, but 
found the prices prohibitive, $1,100 a foot front being asked for ground 
at Seventh street and Braddock avenue. 

The United States objecting to the amount asked by Mr. James, 
and having decided that that site best suited the needs of the Department, 
requested that gentleman to reduce his bid, but met with refusal. The 
Government then petitioned Court for the appointment of viewers looking 
to the condemnation of the site, and on August 10, 1910, the viewers al- 
lowed Mr. James $37,500. 

The bid for the construction of the building complete was given to 
the Plowman Construction Company, of Philadelphia, Pa., for the sum of 
$83,293.24. Ground was broken on August 1, 1911, and the building was 
occupied by the Post Office on June 10, 1913. 

On April 1, 1906, the Braddock office was raised to the rank of the 
first class; on November 4, 1911, it was made a depository for postal sav- 
ings, and the parcel post was established January 1, 1913. 

On February 11, 1915, after an absence of twenty years, Mr. Walter 
J. McBeth re-entered the postal service, this time as Postmaster, having 
been commissioned by President Wilson, January 25th. Great changes 



164 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

have been made for the betterment of the postal service during the 
little over two years of the present postmaster, namely, the establishment 
of six additional stations for the receipt of mail matter and other services 
of the postal system ; the collection and delivery of mail by automobile, 
and day and night continuous service at the post office. 

On January 18, 1854, when Postmaster William N. Fleming opened 
the first mail pouch reaching Braddock's Field, one cannot help wondering 
if he had even a faint dream of the magnitude of the present business. 
At the Braddock office there are 43 employees, the stamp sales exceed 
§50,000 annually, nearly a million dollars a year is handled in money orders, 
besides the thousands of pieces of mail matter handled daily by its em- 
ployees. No other one item in the history of the local boroughs will bet- 
ter tend to show the magnitude of the growth of Braddock. 



BRADDOCK NEWSPAPERS AND THEIR MAKERS. 

BY FREDERICK W. OAKLEY. 

Newspapers are invariably the pioneers that pave the way in a 
village or small town, for the more pretentious municipality that usually 
follows the self-sacrificing efforts of such public-spirited organs, and, if 
planted in a town already built, aid materially in the way of public morals, 
as well as in the physical growth of the community, and keep it keyed up 
to its best possible step on the highway of progress. 

"Braddock's Field", at the time of its incorporation, in 1867, was a 
little different in this respect, from many of its municipal companions in 
this section of Pennsylvania, and elsewhere, for it had no newspaper to 
urge the lagging citizen to see that his own welfare and that of his neighbor 
could be bettered, immediately before or after the incorporation. It was 
almost a decade after "Braddock's Field" village had been officially incor- 
porated as "Braddock Borough", that the first newspaper had its birth, but 
practically since that year, the town has been benefitted constantly in 
every way, by newspapers that have kept the record of almost every year 
intact, and with but an occasional day's lapse. 

It is trite to state that Braddock has had as good newspapers as 
any other town of its size, but it is nevertheless a fact, because the major- 
ity of towns in this or any State, do not meet with the same physical con- 
ditions, especially in regard to location, which is a vital factor in the success 
of a newspaper. Braddock is more peculiarly located, with regard to its 
newspaper condition, than any other town in a score of states of the Union. 
In other words, it might be said that a large borough near the confines 
of a large, first-class city, situated as Braddock and Pittsburgh are, is 
hard to find, and when found, the municipalities do not each have large, 
influential and successful newspapers. Those terms apply only to the 
city, and the large borough is satisfied to have what the adjoining city is 
pleased to give — which is very little in the way of "home news." 

This has never been taken into consideration, as far as Braddock 
newspapers are concerned by the reading public of the Braddock com- 
munity, in the opinion of the writer. Braddock, whose corporate limits 
are not far removed from those of the larger city, has been considered 
from a newspaper point of view by the city dailies, as an immediate local 
field in which the latter might work, but without the attention in the news 
form that the corporate portion of the city always receives. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 167 

The people of the Braddock community, ignoring the town's location, 
and the city newspaper attitude, have subscribed for the city newspapers, 
then expected the borough or "home paper" not to stick to its local field, 
which alone it aimed to fill and for which it was founded, but expected it 
rather to measure up to the stature of a large city daily, covering the 
world field; which, it might be said here, is never the intent, and is al- 
ways against the desire of, the smaller country daily or weekly. 

A slight digression to illustrate the point. In only three pairs of 
large cities in the United States, which practically join, do each of those 
cities maintain large and separate newspapers, with anything like a real 
circulation, and in each case, none of the papers are as influential in the 
other city, as they are in the one in which they are published. The 
"Brooklyn Eagle" is not as widely circulated in New York City, as some of 
the New York newspapers are in Brooklyn. The St. Paul "Pioneer Press" 
does not have the circulation in Minneapolis as does the Minneapolis 
"Tribune" in St. Paul, and likewise, if there is any newspaper of conse- 
quence published in Kansas City, Kas., it does not have anything like the 
circulation in Kansas City, Mo., that the Kansas City "Journal" of the 
latter city, has in its neighboring city across the river, in Kansas. 

And in each of the cases cited, the cities are all large ones, incorpora- 
ted as such. Where the occasional borough adjoins a large city, the 
writer has yet to learn of a single other instance in this country, where 
the small borough has been able to maintain a daily newspaper with only 
an occasional daily interruption, for 40 years as Braddock has done. 
As a reminder, it might be said that even old Allegheny City, incorporated 
as such for quite a century, has never been able to maintain a daily news- 
paper for a year, the only venture of the kind that can be recalled, being 
a daily paper that flourished there for ten months, and the editor of that 
organ spent several months afterwards, doing Braddock newspaper work. 
Even a weekly newspaper in Allegheny could not live longer than a few 
months at a time, and there has been none for years in that section of 
Pittsburgh now known as the "North Side." 

All of which indicates that the pioneers of Braddock newspaper 
work, were worthy successors of those old pioneers, the pathfinders who 
worked the trackless wilderness of the old days of the frontier period in 
this country, and who had the American temerity to brave almost inevit- 
able disaster in order to carry out what might seem the practically im- 
possible. And to many fraternal onlookers who saw the game as it was be- 
ing played in Braddock, it appeared that inevitable business disaster could 



168 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

be the only result from what to them, seemed such a foolhardy risk as the 
establishment of a daily newspaper in a town situated like no other town 
of its size in this country. Yet Braddock newspapers have been pub- 
lished from 1876 down to the present, and for more than 30 years a daily 
paper has been laid at the doorstep of the homes in Braddock almost each 
day. To the newspaperman of other cities this has been, and is yet, con- 
sidered a remarkable performance. 

The "Centennial Year" saw the first newspaper published in "Brad- 
dock's Field" as the borough was still called by the old-time residents. 
Frederick L. Penney, still living in Somerset county, Pa., and a post- 
master at one of the smaller towns near Somerset, was the editor and owner 
of this organ, which was known as the "Braddock News". It continued 
from the fall of 1876, until a year later, but Mr. Penney remained in 
newspaper work in Braddock for two or three years longer. Mr. Penney's 
"News" had various locations on Braddock avenue, or "Main street" as 
it was frequently called. 

Dr. G. A. Hall, medical practitioner, took up the labors in the 
"journalistic" field where Fred L. Penney ended his newspaper ownership. 
Dr. Hall started the Braddock "Sun" in the old Fauset building, at the 
corner of George street and Braddock avenue, in 1878. Dr. Hall continued 
to get out a weekly edition of the "Sun" for a year or more, when J. A. 
Wynne, who married a daughter of Justice of the Peace Thomas J. Louis 
of John street, took over the "Sun" from Dr. Hall, who had sufficient 
newspaper experience in Braddock, and operated it from a small frame 
building on John street near the Pennsylvania Railroad, on property owned 
by 'Squire Louis, at the rear of the Louis residence, which fronted on 
George street. Mr. Wynne took charge in the fall of 1879, and was the 
editor and owner of the "Sun" for about a year, when 'Squire Louis be- 
came the owner in the summer of 1880. 

The "Sun" continued its home on John street for three or four 
years, when it was removed to a one-story frame structure on Braddock 
avenue, on the east side of Eighth street, afterwards the location of Lay- 
man's cafe, and later of a furniture store. The structure extended back 
to Wood alley, the rear being used for the composing and publication rooms, 
while the front of the building was the office of 'Squire Louis, and also the 
editorial quarters. The "Sun" was the property of 'Squire Louis until 
early in 1886, when it was transferred to his eldest son, Frank Ernest 
Louis, who had previously been associated with his father in the editorial 
work of the "Sun". After a year spent in the West, F. E. Louis continued 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 169 

the "Sun" at the old location on Braddock avenue, until 1891, when its 
existence ended. 

Col. E. W. Eisenbeis of East Liberty, founded the first daily news- 
paper in Braddock, in the late summer of 1877. It was the "Braddock 
Times", and the office was the double story frame building on Braddock 
avenue, just west of Tenth street. The building is still standing, and for 
a dozen years after Col. Eisenbeis gave up the publication, the advertising 
sign of the paper swung to the breeze. The "Times" had an existence of 
a little less than a year. With Col. Eisenbeis was connected his son, Harry 
L. Eisenbeis, noted for his stature in those days, for he was some six feet 
five or six inches tall, and of proportionate girth. The son afterwards 
for a short time was associated with the late Joseph L. Campbell, Sr., in 
the publication of the Braddock "Evening Times" on Ninth street. 

In late March or early April, 1880, the late Daniel J. McCarthy, a 
former postmaster of Braddock, and who also served two terms as Dem- 
ocratic jury commissioner in Allegheny county, founded the "Braddock 
Tribune" a weekly publication, the building in which it was issued being 
on the south side of Braddock avenue, several doors west of Thirteenth 
street. Almost across Braddock avenue from the "Tribune" office was 
the residence of Charles E. Dinkey's mother, the late Mrs. Mary E. Kin- 
sey, in the old Robinson homestead, and her son, Charles E. Dinkey, 
took it into his head, as many distinguished men before him have done, 
that he would like to learn the "art preservative of all arts", the printing 
art. The present general manager of the Edgar Thomson steel plant 
was connected with the "Tribune" in various capacities for several years, 
from messenger boy, and "printer's devil" up to acting pressman, until 
his muse told him that there were likely greater financial returns, and 
surely more fame or glory, in other fields, than are offered on a weekly 
newspaper, which in Mr. Dinkey's case has been amply proven true. 

Mr. McCarthy continued to publish the "Tribune" in east Braddock 
avenue, until after his term as postmaster expired, during President Cleve- 
land's first administration, and until it was merged with the Braddock 
"Daily News", which was established in the summer of 1889, by the late 
Charles Mills, a son of Isaac Mills, Sr., and grandson of Stephen Mills, 
Sr., the first settler in 1804, of what is now Braddock, following the ac- 
tual pioneer, John Frazier, who came to Braddock's Field in 1742, from 
Bedford county, and became the first white settler west of the Alleghany 
Mountains. 

With Charles Mills in the founding of the "Daily News", was Ells- 






ALEXANDER I!. SILVEY. JAMES L. QUINN. JOSEPH !.. CAMPBELL. 






JOHN C. LOUGHEAD. JOEL H. DIETRICH. FRANK E. LOUIE 






THOMAS LAWRY. DANIEL JUSTIN McCARTHY. SAMUEL T. SHAW. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 171 

worth Calderwood of Tyrone, Pa., a brother of Mr. Mills' wife. Mr. 
Calderwood died soon after the "Daily News" was started, and its pub- 
lication was continued for three years by Mr. Mills, or until his death in 
1892. For a year or two the office of the "Daily News" was in the old 
Wm. C. Schooley Building on the south side of Braddock avenue, between 
Sixth and Seventh streets, sometimes called the Rauwolf Building, a two- 
story brick with a double front, afterwards used for hotel pur- 
poses. Then the office was removed to the big double-story frame 
structure erected by Mr. Mills on leased ground, at the corner of Library 
street, then Burton street, and Maple alley, opposite the Carnegie Free 
Library, afterwards the site of the First Presbyterian Church. 

Mr. Mills died in 1892, and the paper was published by his widow, 
Mrs. Mary Calderwood Mills, for some months, until near the close of that 
year, when it was taken over by Daniel J. McCarthy, who removed his 
"Tribune" publishing quarters from east Braddock avenue to the Odeon 
Hall Building as the Library street publication building was known. Mr. 
McCarthy still continued to print the "Tribune"' for a year or so after 
his removal to Library street, as a weekly edition of the "Daily News", 
and the "Tribune" went out of existence near the close of 1893. 

After the Braddock "Sun" had got a good start, several other 
newspapers also got into the running, the first of these contemporaries of 
'Squire Louis being Alexander H. Silvey, known throughout the western 
part of the State among his associates as "Sandy" Silvey. Mr. Silvey 
founded the Braddock "Herald" on June 2nd, 1880, in the frame building 
which at that time, and for many years thereafter, stood at the south- 
east corner of Ninth street and Wood alley. The last publication of the 
"Herald" took place in April, 1888, when Mr. Silvey established the Wil- 
kinsburg weekly "Call" in his home town of Wilkinsburg, and continued 
the "Call" almost until his death on January 5, 1905, when it was taken 
up by his son, Thomas Morgan Silvey, who is still the publisher. 

With Mr. Silvey was associated for several years on the "Herald", 
the late Charles Edward Locke, Sr., uncle of the famous Rev. Dr. Charles 
Edward Locke, of Los Angeles, Cal., a noted divine of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. The former Mr. Locke's wife is a sister of Mrs. E. N. 
Preusse of Holland avenue, Braddock, and of Charles W. Wood, formerly 
of Port Perry, and of Wm. P. Wood. Mr. Locke was, after his association 
with Mr. Silvey, city editor and managing editor of the Pittsburgh "Press", 
and retained those positions for some 18 or 19 years. Mr. Silvey founded 
the Crawford "Democrat" at Meadville, Pa., and for a time worked on the 



172 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

Cleveland "Plain Dealer". He was also connected with the Pittsburgh 
"Christian Advocate and the old "Alleghanian", and later with the "Record" 
of the East End, Pittsburgh. He was a brilliant member of the old school 
of newspapers writers. 

Following the celebration of Independence Day of 1884, July 5th, 
to be exact, the "News Net" made its appearance on the streets of Brad- 
dock. It was printed as a weekly paper, a five-column folio, by Thomas 
Lawry, at Robinson street and Bell avenue, North Braddock. Mr. Lawry 
is now an attorney, and resides in Rankin. For two and a half years the 
"News Net" gathered every happening of local interest in the upper and 
lower sections of the town, removing to Franklin street, between Anderson 
and Robinson streets, the following year. 

In January, 1886, Mr. Lawry, who had left a lucrative position at 
the Edgar Thomson Steel Works converting mills, to try his hand at what 
the layman calls "journalism", decided to change the name 
of his youngster while it was yet young, to the "Braddock Journal". 
As such it grew out of its swaddling clothes until the first of the following 
year, when the name was again changed to that of the "Braddock Daily 
Journal." The "Daily Journal" flourished until September, 1887, when 
Mr. Lawry sold the paper to Harry L. Eisenbeis, a son of Col. Eisenbeis, 
already referred to as the founder of the Braddock "Times" of 1877, and 
Joseph L. Campbell, Sr., later justice of the peace in North Braddock for 
several terms. Mr. Campbell had been for a year or so advertising mana- 
ger and circulation-maker combined, with the paper on Franklin street. 

The "Braddock Journal" again changed its name, in deference to 
Harry L. Eisenbeis' sentimental tribute to his father, by calling their 
paper the "Evening Times". The location was changed from Franklin 
street, North Braddock, to 920 Ninth street, Braddock, the old homestead 
of Peter Seewald and his family, between the Seewald Building at Ninth 
street and Braddock avenue, and the later Seewald home at Ninth street 
and Wood alley, now used as a club-house. 

On the second floor of the building occupied by the "Evening Times", 
in that year, 1887, was published a musical periodical, the "Musical Mirror," 
by William H. Large, which had moved there about a year before, from 
Braddock avenue between Tenth and Eleventh streets, after having been 
established by Mr. Large late in 1885. 

The "Evening Times" was published for several months on Ninth 
street, when its new owners became financially discouraged, and asked 
the former owner of the "Daily Journal" to take the property off their 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 173 

hands, which condition of relief he extended. After a short period, Mr. 
Campbell induced William H. Large to try his hand at daily journalism, 
and the paper moved from its location on Ninth street, to a one-story frame 
building owned by Justice Louis F. Holtzman, at 960 Braddock avenue, 
adjoining the old office quarters of Justice Holtzman, and only several 
yards from the former office of the Braddock "Times" founded in 1877. 
The "Evening Times" was printed there almost a year, Mr. Large in the 
meantime having suspended the publication of the "Musical Mirror", and 
his death brought another change in the ownership of the paper. 

For a second time Mr. Lawry was called into executive council, 
and he took over the plant and again operated it, but retained its name, 
the "Evening Times". The publishing office was taken from Braddock 
avenue near Tenth street, to a frame building at 444 Library street, near 
the Pennsylvania Railroad, owned by the late Edward Lawrence. There 
it was printed with Mr. Lawry as its owner, for a year or two, the later 
months of its existence overlapping the first two or three months of the 
publication of the Braddock "Daily News" by Mr. Mills and Ellsworth 
Calderwood. 

The printing "furniture", type, and presses, of the "Evening Times" 
were acquired by the "Daily News" in 1889, and the latter newspaper 
become the only daily newspaper printed in Braddock until January 31, 
1893, when the Braddock "Evening Herald" made its appearance. George 
K. Anderson, a son of a pioneer oil operator of the Franklin and Oil City 
regions of the early oil days, came from his home in Franklin, Pa., and 
established the new paper. The writer, who began his printing and news- 
paper career on Mr. Lawry's "News Net", following its fortunes through 
the various changes as "Journal", "Daily Journal", "Evening Times" and 
the "Daily News", gave the name to Mr. Anderson's venture on the storm- 
tossed sea of Braddock newspaperdom, and became its city editor for the 
first 16 months of its life, when located in the Stokes Building at 731 
Braddock avenue. 

There was a change in the ownership of the paper about that time, 
May, 1894, and while Mr. Anderson remained with the paper for several 
months as manager, Frank C. Lowing was editor for some 10 months, with 
C. A. Stokes as president of the publishing firm, which was composed of a 
number of Braddock business men as stockholders. George W. Penn who 
came to Braddock from Ohio in 1895, following Mr. Lowing in charge of 
the news work on the paper, and Elmore E. Greeg, then residing in Brad- 
dock, the same year took charge of the "Herald", and remained at the 



174 The Unwkitten History of Braddock's Field. 

head of affairs until March, 1898, when he severed hi& connection. C. A. 
Stokes again took charge of the plant until the spring of 1899, when Arthur 
F. Emmons became manager for a couple of months, retiring June 24, 1899. 

In August of the same year, Joel H. Dietrich, a native of Shenan- 
doah, Pa., and John L. Sechlar, the latter a hotel owner of South Fork, Pa., 
bought the "Evening Herald" from its firm of business men, and these 
brought the paper to a high state of efficiency, Mr. Dietrich being a news- 
paperman of ability and experience, a co-worker in his earlier years with 
the late Morgan E. Gable, who at the time of his demise last fall, was 
directing editor of the "Gazette Times", and had been almost from the 
inception of the old "Pittsburgh Times" owned by the late Christopher L. 
Magee, its managing editor, and until the merger with the old "Commer- 
cial Gazette." 

The "Evening Herald", placed on a firm foundation by Messrs. 
Dietrich & Sechlar, was bought in June, 1903, by Addison L. Petty, now an 
attorney, residing in Swissvale, and his brother, Joseph Dawson Petty, 
now of Fishkill, N. Y., connected with New York newspapers, in recent 
years. The Petty brothers, before embarking in their newspaper canoe 
in Braddock, had been the owners and editors of the McKeesport "Morning 
Herald" for a couple of years. In April, 1906, the "Evening Herald", 
which had changed its location from 731 Braddock avenue when bought 
by the Petty brothers, to 520 Braddock avenue, opposite the Third ward 
school building, was merged with the Braddock "Daily News", A. L. 
Petty leaving for Mexico that year, but retaining his interest, as did his 
brother, Joseph D., in the "News-Herald" as the merged papers became 
known. In May, 1907, the firm name became the "News-Herald Publish- 
ing Co.", and Melville Clyde Kelly took active charge of the merged papers. 

Daniel J. McCarthy, successor to Charles Mills in the ownership 
of the Braddock "Daily News", left newspaper work for politics in 1896, 
and the paper became the property of Frank E. Louis, who published it 
until April 1st, 1899, when Messrs. John C. Loughead and Edward E. 
Lantz bought the paper from Mr. Louis. Mr. Loughead came to Brad- 
dock from Jeannette in the fall of 1893, to assume the foremanship of the 
composing room of the "Evening Herald", soon after its founding. The 
autumn of the following year, Mr. Loughead purchased a half interest from 
Winslow Nicholls in the Eureka Printing Co., a job printing office at 717 
Braddock avenue. The following spring, 1895, the publication of a weekly 
newspaper, the "Weekly Observer", was begun, and the same summer, 
Mr. Nicholls retired from the business and Mr. Loughead became the sole 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 175 

owner of the printing company and the "Observer". 

The "Observer" and the "Daily News" became consolidated through 
the partnership of Mr. Longhead and Mr. Lantz and a few months after 
acquiring possession of the "Daily News", Mr. Lantz retired from the 
business, and the publication of the "Observer" was discontinued. On 
April 1st, 1900, Samuel T. Shaw of Greensburg, a brother-in-law of Mr. 
Loughead, bought a half interest in the "Daily News", and assumed the 
position of business manager. Early in 1902, Mr. Shaw sold his interest 
in the paper to Mr. Loughead. 

During the next several years, the "Daily News" forged to the front, 
and again assumed its place in Braddock newspaperdom, which position 
it had lost for a time. In January, 1904, one of the latest model linotype, 
or type-setting machines of the Mergenthaler invention, the first of its 
kind in the lower Monongahela valley, was installed. The addition of 
this wonderful machine gave the "Daily News" superior facilities. On 
May 1st, 1905, Mr. Loughead sold the "Daily News" to L. F. Ross of Mc- 
Keesport, then connected with the McKeesport "Evening Times", but the 
following August, Mr. Ross became financially involved to such an extent 
that Mr. Loughead was compelled to take the plant over again, with a 
large indebtedness accumulated during Mr. Ross' brief ownership. 

A few days later, Mr. Loughead leased the plant of the "Daily News" 
to the present congressman from the Thirtieth Congressional District, 
Melville Clyde Kelly, and Winslow Nicholls. May 1st, 1906, Messrs. Kelly 
and Nicholls bought the "Daily News" plant outright, and Mr. Loughead 
returned to Jeannette to assume the editorship of the Jeannette weekly 
"Dispatch", which position he held with a brief interval, until recently, 
when he became editor of the Greensburg morning "Review". 

About the period mentioned, while the "Evening Herald" and the 
"Daily News" were both flourishing under separate managements, the 
third daily newspaper made its appearance in Braddock, the only time in 
Braddock's history that such a condition existed, and the only time that 
it is likely such a condition were possible in Braddock's newspaper field. 
The new daily was the Braddock "Evening Journal", established on Oc- 
tober 24th, 1905, by James Leland Quinn, in what is now the Leighton 
Building, at John street and Maple way. With Mr. Quinn was associated 
his brother-in-law, Charles F. Kramer. The daily "Journal" continued its 
existence until June, 1908, when the daily was discontinued, and the week- 
ly "Journal" took its place, which is still published by Messrs. Quinn and 
Kramer, the publication office being on Eighth street, near Talbot avenue. 



176 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

In December, 1902, the same year that Mr. Loughead acquired 
full ownership, following the retirement from the paper of Samuel T. Shaw, 
Melville Clyde Kelly took charge of the news department of the "Daily 
News". He remained with the paper until the late summer of 1904, and 
in September of that year established the Braddock "Leader", a weekly 
paper, with its plant at 444 Library street, the old office of the "Evening 
Times", published many years before by Thomas Lawry. In September, 
1905, Mr. Kelly bought the "Daily News" plant, and merged it with the 
"Leader", the office being at 317 Seventh street, the former home of the 
"Daily News". 

As already told, the "Evening Herald" then owned by Messrs. 
Addison, L., and Joseph D. Petty, and the "Daily News", were consoli- 
dated in April, 1906, under the firm name of the "Braddock Daily News 
Publishing Co., Incorporated, as publishers, the plant of the merged papers 
being at 520 Braddock avenue. Mr. Kelly has been president of the com- 
pany since the merger in 1906, and has continued also as its editorial 
manager since that time, even during the period that he served the Tenth 
Assembly District of Pennsylvania, at Harrisburg, from January 1911, to 
January, 1913, and also during his first term in Congress as a member 
from the Thirtieth district, from March, 1913, to March, 1915. 

The various weekly and daily newspapers of Braddock, from 1876 
down to the present day, have all done a goodly share in the upbuilding 
of the community, and have given freely, valuable space in their columns, 
as do practically all newspapers, to further not only the public welfare, 
but to aid in semi-private enterprises that in a way, may benefit the com- 
munity, and for which they never get the slightest credit or thanks, and 
which, invariably, is accepted as the public or private due, something never 
expected from any other private enterprise or business. 

Of course, some of the newspapers have done more than others 
along the line of local progress, urging in season and out of season, certain 
public enterprises, and movements that would benefit the whole people, or 
in some cases, at least most of the community. In this respect might be 
mentioned all the public improvements that have been made since the 
Braddock water works plant was built, and incidentally, the splendid man- 
ner in which certain Braddock newspapers fought for the people at the 
time the original street railways were after rights-of-way franchises 
through the community, the railway companies demanding rights without 
any benefits or recompense to the public. The financial and alleged graft 
scandals of those days, were all fought by the newspapers, and the citizens 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 177 

of the present day receive the advantages in decreased taxes. 

The present Braddock General Hospital is one result of the activities 
of the newspapers of Braddock, especially of the old Braddock "Daily 
News", and in later years of the "Evening Herald", which unselfishly took 
up the project of the "Daily News", for public weal, for the project origina- 
ted in the old "Daily News" office during the early years of Mr. McCarthy's 
ownership, in 1891, to be exact, while the writer was then in charge of 
the news department of the paper, and a volume in columns of space, was 
given over a period of some years, to this project, to stir the public mind to 
the necessity of such an institution, and it might be stated here, with none 
to question, that in those days the project was bitterly fought, and ridicule 
from certain quarters was heaped upon the discussions and pleas for a 
hospital. The writer conducted the propaganda for the project, during the 
years he was connected with the newspapers of Braddock in an editorial 
capacity, and knows full well what it meant for the newspapers to take up 
a project that was unpopular for some years, apart from the support 
of the noble women who formed the Braddock Hospital Association. It 
was only in late years, after the way had been hewn out by the old "Daily 
News" in persistent arguments over years, for a hospital in Braddock, that 
the hospital idea became a popular one. 

The same also was true of the suggestion made by the writer in a 
series of articles in 1890, written for the "Daily News", while Mrs. Mary 
Mills was the owner of that paper, that the battlefield on which Gen. 
Braddock fought, in 1754, be marked by a suitable monument or bronze 
tablet. In those days there was not the sympathy apparently, between the 
English-speaking peoples, that there has since developed, especially in re- 
cent months, and the suggestion was contemptuously denounced by answer- 
ing articles in the "Daily News", stating that there was no call for a mon- 
ument to mark a defeat of a general representing a nation that years af- 
terwards was at war with this country. 

The writer of this chapter was threatened with bodily violence in his 
office many times, by a number of over-enthusiastic, but questionably 
patriotic citizens, if he did not desist in his propaganda for a monument 
for the battlefield. The old files of the "Daily News" will show this state 
of affairs. Still, the world changes, and the acrid sentiments of a genera- 
tion may be forgotten within that generation, to such an extent that after 
repeated discussions, in the press, for a monument marking the battle- 
field of Braddock, of 1754, tablets commemorative of these important 
events will be unveiled within the coming year. 



178 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



Braddock newspapers have taken the unpopular side of many move- 
ments, because they believed they were right, or for the public welfare, 
or for the town's good fame, and the true test of a real newspaper is not 
always following the lead of the people, but leading the people to see the 
right, or accepting projects and movements for the general public welfare, 
and moral, social, political and spiritual welfare. 





JOHN L. SECULAR. 



HON. MELVILLE CLYDE KELLY 





THOMAS J. LOUIS 



JOSEPH DAWSON PETTY'. 




ELMORE C. CREWi. 



GEO. W. PENN. 



FRED W. OAKLEY, 




SOME OF THE CHURCHES OF BRADDOCK. 

1 First M. E. Church. 2— Muhleman Memorial Church, North Braddock. 3 United Brethren Churcl 

4— Sacred Heart Polish Roman Catholic Church. 5— St. Michael's Greek Catholic Church. Rankin. 

6 St. Peter and Paul Greek Catholic Church. 7— St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Braddock. 

8— St. Thomas Roman Catholic Church. 

9 — Congregational Church. 10 Calvary Presbyterian Church. 11 — Swedish Lutheran Church. 



CHURCHES. 

BY REV. JAMES VERNON WEIGHT.(l) 

A history of Braddock ! And that for fifty years ! So many are the 
influences that go to make up a city ; its development, its strength, and its 
permanency ; that care must be taken that all of these be recognized and 
traced in a survey such as this history claims to make. The Church minis- 
ters to the spiritual and moral wellbeing of individuals and communities. 
The men and women who have made Braddock what it is today — and they 
are not just a few, who are far-famed, but many humble toilers in mill 
and shop — were inspired and helped by the sacred ministries of the 
Church. Our social and industrial development was paralleled by religious 
fervor and devotion to the ideals of Christianity. The Church has laid 
deep and broad the foundation of our splendid history. And today our 
heritage is enriched by the constant appeal of the Churches of this com- 
munity to the fine things of the spirit. 

What makes a city great and strong? 

Not architecture's graceful strength, 

Nor factories' extended length, 
But men who see the civic wrong 

And give their lives to make it right, 

And turn its darkness into light. 

What makes a city full of power? 

Not wealth's display nor titled fame, 

Not fashion's loudly-boasted claim, 
But women, rich in virtue's dower, 

Whose homes, tho humble, still are great 

Because of service to the state. 

What makes a city men can love? 

Not things that charm the outward sense, 

Nor gross display of opulence, 
But right, that wrong cannot remove, 

And truth, that faces civic fraud 

And smites it in the name of God. 

This is a city that shall stand, 

A light upon a nation's hill, 

A voice that evil can not still, 
A source of blessing to the land; 

Its strength not brick, nor stone, nor wood, 

But justice, love and brotherhood. 

(Author Unknown.) 



(1) The work of preparing- this article was originally assigned to Rev. Percy 
H. Gordon. Dr. Gordon collected data and had the matter well in hand when, on advice 
of his physician, he was compelled to relinquish all work and go away for several 
months for complete rest. Dr. Wright then very kindly took Dr. Gordon's data and pre- 
pared the article. (Ed.) 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 181 



CHURCHES— BRADDOCK, NORTH BRADDOCK AND RANKIN. 

Date Present 

Name. Location. Organization. Pastor. 

First Christian, Braddock Ave. at Fifth Street 1830 Rev. Henry Mahon. 

First United Brethren, Jones & Hawkins Aves 1854 Rev. E. B. Learish. 

First M. E., Library St. & Parker Ave. 1855 Rev. J. Vernon Wright. 

First United Presbyterian, Parker Avenue 1864 Rev. W. H. MePeak. 

First Presbyterian, Library Street. 1872 Rev. P. H. Gordon, D. D. 

Free Methodist, Hawkins Avenue 1874 Rev. H. L. Speer. 

First Baptist, Jones Avenue 1881 Rev. Thomas Elliott. 

St. Mary's Episcopal, Lillie Avenue... 1881.. Rev. F. Welham. 

First English Evangelical Lutheran, Fifth St 1886 Rev. C. H. Stein. 

Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran, Fifth Street 1886... Rev. F. Englebert. 

Swedish Evan. Lutheran Bethel, Fourth St. & Mills.. ..1887 Rev. Morten Parsons. 

Trinity Evan. English Lutheran, Fourth & Holland.... 1887 Rev. S. K. Herbster. 

First Congregational, Talbot & Sixth St 1888 Rev. J. C. Clarke. 

Calvary Presbyterian, Sixth Street 1892... Rev. T. C. Pears, Jr. 

Swedish Methodist Episcopal, Comrie Avenue 1892 Rev. A. P. Lakeberg. 

First Methodist Protestant, Kenmawr Ave., Rankin.. 1893 Rev. B. K. Bierer. 

Fourth Street M. E.. Fourth Street 1895 Rev. J. J. Buell. 

United Evangelical, Baldridge Ave 1904 Rev. F. W. Barlett, 0. D. 

Muhleman Mem. German M. E., Grandview Ave 1914 ..Rev. P. Worthmann. 

St. Luke's Reformed, Fourth & Camp Ave Rev. W. S. Harman. 

Brinton Ave. United Presbyterian, Brinton Ave Rev. E. H. Carson. 

Corey Ave. A. M. E., 514 Corey Ave Rev. J. L. Jackson. 

New Hope Baptist, Sixth Street Rev. J. D. Burke. 

St. Thomas' Roman Catholic, Braddock Ave 1854 Rev. Robert McDonald. 

St. Joseph's Roman Catholic, John Street 1877 Rev. F. J. Eger. 

Saint's Peter & Paul Greek Catholic, John St 1896 Rev. Stephen Gulovich. 

Sacred Heart Polish R. C, Talbot & Sixth 1897 Rev. J. A. Rykazewski. 

St. Michael's Greek Catholic, Third St., Rankin 1900 Rev. C. Roskovics. 

Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic, Washington Ave... 1916 Rev. J. K. Antonoff. 

St. Brendan's Roman Catholic, Holland Ave Rev. P. Molyneaux. 

St. Isadore Greek Catholic, Talbot & Seventh Rev. C. Abromaites. 

St. Michael's R. C, Braddock Ave. & Frazier. Rev. A. Kazinczy. 

St. Barnabas' R. C, Kenmawr Ave., Rankin Rev. J. L. Shearinger. 

St. Mary of Mt. Carmel, Margaretta & Sixth Francisco Beneventano. 

Synagogue Agudath Aehim, 1023 Talbot Ave 1894 Rev. J. L. Hillkowitz. 

Synagogue Ahavith Acham, 432 Sixth Street Rev. A. Meyerowitz. 

Slovak Congregational Mission Church, Talbot Ave... 1890 Rev. John Gallo. 

St. Paul's Slovak Evan. Luth., Halket & 11th ...1891 Rev. C. V. Molnar. 

Free Gospe! Mission Church, Hawkins Ave 1902 Rev. F. J. Casley. 

Slovak Presbyterian, Braddock Ave 1908 Rev. J. V. Kovar. 

Mt. Olivet A. Baptist, Fourth Ave., Rankin Rev. L. E. Reiser. 

Emanuel A. Baptist, Third Ave., Rankin Rev. A. D. Brown. 

Italian Baptist, 508 Braddock Ave Rev. Luke De Amore. 

Hungarian Baptist Rev. Louis Stumpf. 



182 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

CHURCHES OF BRADDOCK. 

The history of Braddock could not be written without considerable 
mention of her Churches, whose buildings and equipment are a credit to 
this thriving industrial center. There are about forty-five Churches and 
Missions in this community and in their work, they reach most of the 
nationalities represented in our cosmopolitan population. Long before 
there was any municipal organization for this community, ministers 
visited this region and formed the people into Church groups. Sunday 
Schools were organized, Church buildings were erected, and as the popula- 
tion increased the influence of the Churches became more evident in the 
upbuilding of the City. 

This short chapter has been written from what material has come 
to the hands of the compiler after most careful and persistent efforts to 
secure information from each Church in the territory covered by this vol- 
ume of historic data. 

Several congregations trace their history back beyond the year 
1850, although the formal organization of the Church may not have taken 
place until a later date. The First Christian Church is recognized as the 
oldest Church organization in Braddock. The name of Mills is associated 
with this Church from the beginning, for it was in the home of Isaac 
Mills, Si'., where the first preaching was done and the first organization 
consummated. This was about the year 1830. For eight years these serv- 
ices were held in the Mills home, David Estep, George Forester, James 
Darsie, and Isaac Erret walking out from Pittsburgh to do the preaching. 
About 1838 a Church building was erected at Eleventh Street, which after 
a few years was destroyed by fire. Undaunted by the loss of their build- 
ing, the congregation decided to build another Church on the same site, 
which building still stands, occupied now by the Slavonic Catholic Church. 
After the disposal of this property the present building on Braddock Ave. 
between Fifth St. and Corey Ave. was erected. This property is valued 
at $45,000 and is free of debt. In later years the Church started and fos- 
tered Churches at Turtle Creek, Wilkinsburg and Homestead. Under its 
auspices was also organized in 1912 the Italian Christian Church. There 
are still to be found representatives of the old families in the present or- 
ganization in such names as Mills, McCune, Shallenberger, and Strathern. 
The present membership of the Church is 250 and 240 in the Sunday 
School. 

The Braddock Church of the United Brethren in Christ is located at 
Jones and Hawkins Avenues, North Braddock. This Church was organ- 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 183 

ized in 1854 and now has a property valued at $50,000. The membership 
of the Church is 438 and there are 552 scholars in the Sunday School. 

Five dates stand out in the history of the First Methodist Episcopal 
Church. They are 1842, when services were held in the old Log-still House 
on Jones Ave. ; 1855, when the Church was organized in the little School 
House in North Braddock; 1857, when services were held in the First 
Ward School House, Braddock; 1859, when the first building was erected, 
Sellers Chapel, on Braddock Ave. at Tenth St. ; and 1890, when the present 
Church building at Library and Parker Avenues was dedicated. "Mother" 
Barkley, a colored slave, who was brought from Louisville, Ky., by Col. 
Wallace, was converted and became the first Methodist in Braddock. The 
first white Methodist convert in Braddock was a Mr. Fink, who was a 
shoemaker. About 1840 the mother of Mr. J. B. Corey opened up her 
home in Port Perry and for three years the settlers around Braddock's 
Field, Brinton, and Turtle Creek and the Methodists from these villages 
gathered there to hear preaching by the preachers who travelled the cir- 
cuits. In a little one-story brick school house which would seat about 
100 people, Rev. B. F. Sawhill organized the first Methodist Church and 
Sunday School. The present Church building was erected during the pas- 
torate of Rev. T. N. Boyle and is valued at $55,000, and the Parsonage 
on Parker Ave. is valued at $8,000. The present membership of the 
Church is 850 and the Sunday School has an enrollment of 750. The 
Fourth Street Methodist Episcopal Church was organized and fostered 
by members and workers from the First Church. This was in the year 
1895, when J. W. Miles, D. D., was the Pastor at First Church. This Church 
has grown to be a flourishing Church of 367 members, with a Sunday 
School of 384 scholars. The Church has property valued at $6,000. 

The First United Presbyterian Church of Braddock was informally 
organized June 16, 1864, at which time a Commission representing 
Westmoreland Presbytery received into membership twenty-five persons 
in the mission. When this was done members were allowed to proceed 
to complete the organization by the election of elders. The following 
named persons were elected: Mr. Matthew Henning, Mr. Alexander 
Claney, Mr. George McCague and Mr. Daniel Cain. These elders were 
inducted into office July 22, 1864, and the organization was completed. 
For two years the organization held its Sabbath School and Sabbath serv- 
ices in a two-room school house, on the site now occupied by the First 
Ward School building on Eleventh Street. 

Mr. Matthew Henning donated the congregation a lot on the cor- 



184 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

ner of Eleventh street and the B. & 0. Railroad. On this lot the congrega- 
tion erected a building which is still standing. In August, 1867 the congre- 
gation entered its first house of worship in which it worshipped for almost 
twenty-four years. On April 16, 1893, the congregation dedicated its 
present church building on Parker Avenue. The congregation has al- 
ways been self-sustaining, never having received any aid from the boards 
of the church. The Brinton Avenue Church is a child of this church. 
The following have been the pastors of this congregation : Rev. Johna- 
than G. Fulton, stated supply from June 16, 1864 to April 11, 1868. Rev. 
John S. Easton, D. D., December 21, 1869 to September 5, 1876. Rev. 
William S. Fulton, December 31, 1877 to October 16, 1898. Rev. George 
E. Hawes, D. D., December 28, 1898 to October 8, 1911. Rev. Wm. Chas. 
Wallace, D. D., March 1, 1912 to July 2, 1916. Rev. Wm. H. McPeak, Feb- 
ruary 2, 1917. 

The First Presbyterian Church of Braddock began its career March 
8, 1872. In April a petition was presented to Presbytery of Blairsville, 
asking for the organization of a Presbyterian Church at what was then 
Braddock's Field. At the home of Mrs. Robinson, September 3, 1872, the 
organization was effected, with twelve charter members. Services were 
held for a short time in the school house above the Pennsylvania Railroad, 
but on March 15, 1873, the congregation began to worship in Seddon's 
Hall, corner of Main and John Streets. Rev. William F. Kean was the 
first Pastor of this congregation and served the Church for nine years. 
During this pastorate ground was purchased and a Church building 
erected. In the winter of 1892-3 between 40 and 50 persons were dis- 
missed to form what is now the Calvary Presbyterian Church of Brad- 
dock. Other ministers who have served this congregation are : Rev. John 
B. Dickey, 1883-1892; Rev. William G. Reagle, 1893-1906; Rev. L. F. 
Laverty, 1906-1908; and Rev. Percy H. Gordon, Jan. 12, 1909 until the 
present time. This Church has grown to a membership of 444 and re- 
ports a Sunday School of 307 members, not including Cradle Roll and 
Home Department. 

The Calvary Presbyterian Church, located on Sixth Street, Brad- 
dock, was organized October 5, 1892. The first Minister was Rev. O. B. 
Milligan, D. D. The organization was effected and first services held in 
Carnegie Hall until the present Church building was erected. There were 
thirty-three charter members, among them being a number of prominent 
residents of this community. Other Ministers who have served this 
Church are Rev. E. M. Bowman, Rev. J. F. Clokey, D. D., Rev. R. P. Lip- 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 185 

pincott, Rev. F. B. Limerick, and the present Pastor, Rev. T. C. Pears, Jr. 
The Church now has a membership of 300 and about half that number in 
the Sunday School. 

The First Baptist Church of Braddock was organized June 5, 1881, 
with 30 members. It was admitted into the Pittsburgh Baptist Associa- 
tion July 29, 1881, at a meeting held in the Christian Church. Rev. A. J. 
King was the first Pastor, taking up the work in 1882. At once lots were 
purchased at Talbot Ave. and Seventh St. and plans were drawn for a 
Church building. A mission Sunday School was formed at Rankin under 
the direction of Miss Amelia Lee, a Church missionary. This later was 
organized into a Baptist Church and some of the members of this Church 
formed the nucleus for the present Swissvale Baptist Church. During the 
pastorate of Rev. George F. Street, in the fall of 1899, plans were com- 
pleted for a new Church building, which was dedicated in 1901 and was 
the home of this congregation until the property was sold, June 15, 1916. 
Services are now being held in the old United Brethren Church on Jones 
Ave., North Braddock. The present membership of the Church is 115. 

There are several branches of the Lutheran Church in Braddock. 
The first of these to be organized was the First English Evangelical 
Lutheran Church. The date of its formal organization was August 15, 
1886, when Rev. Luther M. Kuhns was the Pastor. Services were first 
held in the W. C. T. U. Hall on Braddock Ave., near Tenth St., and later 
the present Church building on Fifth St., between Holland Ave. and Mill 
St., was erected. There were 16 charter members. From this small 
beginning the Church has grown until now the report shows 280 members, 
with a Sunday School of the same number. The present valuation of the 
Church property is $10,000. Eight Ministers have served this congrega- 
tion as Pastors, the present Pastor being Rev. Curvin H. Stein. 

The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Bethel Church was organized 
March 22, 1877, with 32 charter members. The next year a lot on Sixth 
Street, near Lillie Ave., was purchased for $1,500, and a frame Church 
building costing $5,000 was erected. In 1902 the property at Mills Ave. 
and Fourth St. was bought for $7,800, and three years later, after selling 
the old Church on Sixth St., work was begun on a new building. Only the 
basement of the building was completed and the congregation worshiped 
in this for four years. The main auditorium was finished and the entire 
Church dedicated May 12, 1912. This beautiful Church is of Gothic- 
architecture and was erected at a cost of $35,000. The property, includ- 
ing the Parsonage, is now valued at $50,000. The Church reports at the 



186 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

beginning of this present year show 400 communicants and 336 children ; 
a total of 736. The Sunday School has 180 scholars with 25 teachers and 
officers. 

The Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church of Braddock, Pa., was 
organized in the month of September, 1886. Prior to that repeated at- 
tempts were made to establish a congregation for the German Lutherans 
at Braddock. The last effort was made by Rev. Schmidt, at that time in 
charge of a congregation in East Liberty, Pittsburgh, Pa. Services were 
held on the third floor of the building, still in existence, on the S. E. cor- 
ner of Talbot Avenue and 9th Street. During September of 1886, Rev. 
Frederick Brand was called and almost immediately an organization was 
effected. During the following months of the same year three lots were 
bought at the corner of 5th Street and Maple Way, and in the beginning of 
1887 a frame building was erected. Seven years later, this building prov- 
ing too small for the growing congregation, a brick building replaced it. 
This building is still used by the congregation. At that time two addi- 
tional lots with a house thereon were bought, the house to be used for a 
parsonage. The original cost was about $20,000, and the present value 
about $35,000. The present membership of the church is 450 and 125 are 
enrolled in the Sunday School. There have been three pastors of the con- 
gregation as follows: Rev. Frederick Brand, September, 1886-December, 
1891; Rev. C. Engelder, December, 1891-September, 1904; Rev. F. Engel- 
bert, October, 1904 to the present time. 

The first Episcopal services were held in Braddock in 1881 in a 
hall on the corner of Ninth St. and Talbot Avenue. These services were 
held at intervals and were conducted by visiting clergy and occasionally 
by Cortlandt Whitehead, Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. In 1890 
services were held in a building on the corner of Library Street and Brad- 
dock Avenue, now known as the Famous Department Store, but at that 
time known as the Masonic Building. These services were in charge of 
Rev. Ingram Irvine. 

The first building known as Trinity Church was located on the West 
side of Sixth Street, opposite Lillie Ave., and was built in 1890 and de- 
stroyed by fire in 1891. 

A small frame building was then erected on the present site, where 
the congregation worshipped for the next ten years. In 1901 Mrs. Mary 
Elizabeth Kinsey, mother of Mrs. Chas. M. Schwab, built and presented 
to the Diocese the present building on Lillie Avenue, the name of the 
church being changed to St. Mary's. This building was dedicated June 29, 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 187 

1901, and is valued at $30,000. Upon reorganization at this time, the Rev. 
G. A. Dyess became rector and was followed in order by the Revs. A. O. 
Stengal, Fred Ingley, A. W. Kierulff, J. C. Fairlie, W. C. Cady and the 
present rector, the Rev. Frederic Welham. 

From the time of its formal organization until 1906 the parish was 
recognized as a Mission. In June, 1906 the Reverend Fred Ingley became 
rector, and, under his leadership a vestry was formed and it became an 
independent Parish. 

Like many other Churches, the First Congregational of Braddock 
had its beginning in the organization of a Sunday School. The meeting- 
was held in the Public School building of the First ward, October 11, 1887. 
Mr. Thomas Addenbrook was elected Superintendent, which office he 
filled continuously until 1909. The first session of the Sunday School was 
held at the home of Mr. Casper Winter on Seventh Street, with 24 pres- 
ent. After this the meetings were held in Sewald's Hall, Ninth St. and 
Braddock Ave. Here the Church was organized October 18, 1888, there 
being 29 charter members. The first Pastor in charge was Rev. John H. 
Young. Previous to 1890 a lot had been bought at the corner of Talbot 
Ave. and Sixth St. Here a temporary building was erected in ten days by 
the men and boys of the Church. The Sunday School room of the present 
Church building was dedicated in November, 1894, and in May, 1902 the 
auditorium was finished and dedicated. In 1911 the interior of the audi- 
torium was destroyed by fire, but in a few months was restored, a new pipe 
organ taking the place of the one destroyed. The Church property cost 
$50,000. The present membership of the Church is 104 and there are 90 
members of the Sunday School. 

The first meeting held by the Free Methodist Church was on the 
eve of July 25, 1874, in the public school hall. About $1,000 had been con- 
tributed by citizens to build this hall, where public meetings might be 
held. The hall had not been in use because it was not furnished. These 
Church people agreed to seat the hall and maintain regular services. The 
first meeting was conducted by Rev. E. P. Hart, at present a retired 
Bishop living in California. At that time ho was one of the District 
Elders of the Michigan Conference, coming here through the influence of 
Mr. J. B. Corey. The first regular Pastor was Rev. A. V. Leonardsen. 
From the Public School hall the congregation moved to the Corey Chapel, 
built by Mr. J. B. Corey, and in 1901 found a new location in the present 
church building on Hawkins Ave. There were 61 charter members and 
the present membership is 45. The Church property is valued at $6,000. 



188 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

Rev. W. H. Gladden organized the first Methodist Protestant 
Church March 10, 1893 in Sewald's Hall. Rev. Leigh Layman was the 
first Pastor. A lot was purchased at the corner of Sixth St. and Marga- 
retta Ave. and here a building, costing $2,700, was erected and opened 
June 1, 1896. The building was not completed until 1901. This served 
as the home of this congregation until the summer of 1904, when the prop- 
erty was sold to St. Mary of Mount Carmel Italian Roman Catholic- 
Church. Services were held for some time in Braznell Hall and Odd Fel- 
lows' Hall, and in 1905 the congregation found a new location in Rankin 
on Braddock Ave., where a new building was erected. This congregation 
values its property at $14,000 and reports a membership of 170. The Sun- 
day School numbers 125. 

The Rev. William Swenson was the first Swedish Minister to visit 
Braddock. He preached in the First Methodist Episcopal Church in 1892. 
The next year a Sunday School and Class were organized and Ministers 
from Pittsburgh and McKeesport looked after the work until Rev. Theo- 
dore Peterson was sent here by the late Bishop Walden. Services were 
held in Stokes Hall, Braddock Ave., and this hall was the home of this con- 
gregation until 1912, when the present Church building was procured. 
This property was purchased from the United Brethren Church for $4,- 
000. The building was recently remodeled at a cost of $2,100. This con- 
gregation places the date of its formal organization as January 12, 1897, 
and reports 13 charter members. 

The Muhleman Memorial German Methodist Episcopal Church is 
located on Grandview Ave., North Braddock. The Church was organized 
June 15, 1914 with Rev. D. Worthman as Minister. There were 85 char- 
ter members and the enrollment of the Sunday School is 130. The first 
services were held in the Brinton Ave. United Presbyterian Church. A 
parsonage was built in 1915 and the valuation of the property held by the 
congregation is $12,000. 

The United Evangelical Church was organized in September, 1904 
in the building which is still the home of the congregation. There were 14 
charter members, and the present P?stor, Rev. F. W. Barlett, D. D., was 
the first Minister. The Church membership numbers 70 with 175 on the 
roll of the Sunday School. The property valuation is $9,000. 

The present flourishing St. Thomas' Roman Catholic parish is the 
realization of the plans formulated by the little colony of Catholics who 
erected their small chapel on Tara Hill on the south side of the Mononga- 
hela river in 1854. This mission site was donated bv Mr. Thomas J. Kin- 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 189 

ney, and building material was presented by Mr. West. The steady in- 
crease of parishioners augmented the demand for a larger church, on a 
more convenient site, and resulted in the purchasing of the present church 
property, by Rev. F. Tracey. In the year 1859 Martin Dowling secured the 
deed for the land, and April 22, 1860, Father O'Farrell laid the corner 
stone. 

The first Mass was celebrated in the basement of the church, Oc- 
tober 14, 1860. Owing to a financial deficit, caused by the War, the parish 
was threatened with ruin, but was permanently saved by the noble self- 
sacrifice of Mr. Kinney, who paid the mortgage at the risk of personal 
bankruptcy. This congregation's pride in their parish was evidenced by 
an attendance so large that Father Hughes deemed it obligatory to ex- 
tend the church thirty feet. Expenses were defrayed by the gratuitous 
services of the coal miners. More prosperous times enabled Father Hickey 
to formulate plans for a larger church. Foremost among those who were 
eager to co-operate in the good work, were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Schwab, 
who generously offered to build the edifice in A. D. 1902. The work was 
carried on under the admirable direction of Mr. L. F. Holtzman, whose 
business sagacity secured most satisfactory results to the parish. The 
structure, Romanesque in architecture, with its exquisite equipments, is a 
fitting memorial to the munificent donors. The property held by this 
parish is valued at $200,000. It ministers to 500 families and has 650 in 
the Sunday School. 

The educational advantages afforded by St. Thomas' School have 
attained their excellence after years of labor. The primitive school under 
lay supervision was supplanted by the present one during the pastorate of 
Father Hickey. Rev. Robert McDonald has succeeded in realizing for the 
parish, not only a thorough grammar grade course, but also a High School, 
efficiently equipped for a complete scientific and classical course. With 
true scholarly instincts he has introduced the latest and most complete 
text-books, free of charge, to the parish children. It is with commendable 
pride that the people of St. Thomas' parish review the history of their 
church and school, the present prestige of which they attribute to loyal 
and earnest co-operation. 

Saint Joseph's Catholic Church, Braddock, Pa., was organized 
September first, 1877, by Rev. Anthony Fischer. The first Mass was held 
for the newly formed parish of St. Joseph, by the above named Pastor in 
Sewald's Hall, Cor. Braddock Avenue and Ninth Street, Braddock's Field, 
as it was then called. The frame church which was in course of construe- 



190 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

tion on George Street, was dedicated by Bishop John Tuigg of Pittsburgh, 
in August, 1880, and used as a church for thirteen years, and as a school 
for sixteen more. It was taken down, to make room for the present Parish 
School, erected in 1909, during the pastorate of Father May. 

There were about sixty families at the time of organization and Father 
Fischer was succeeded by Rev. Jacob M. Wertz on February 3rd, 1888, 
who, on December 10th of the same year, was followed by Rev. August 
A. Wertenbach. It was in his pastorate that the congregation purchased 
the lot adjoining the parish-house on George Street from A. J. Spigelmire, 
and erected thereon the present permanent Church of brick with stone 
trimming, covering the whole space, after removing the Spigelmire 
dwelling across the alley to the lot on Verona Street, where it serves for 
a convent for the Sisters of Divine Providence who teach the Parish 
schools. 

The Church, which cost about fifty thousand dollars, and took two 
years to build, was solemnly dedicated on Sunday, December 17th, 1893, 
by the Right Rev. Richard Phelan, Bishop of Pittsburgh, assisted by 
eighteen priests: the Rev. P. Kaufmann, C. Coyne, Very Rev. M. Decker, 
P. Molyneaux, John Faughnan, Geo. Allman, J. Murphy, now Bishop; J. 
N'olan, Vincent Huber, now Abbot ; Father Francis, 0. S. B., D. Devlin, R. 
Wieder, F. J. Eger, S. Schramm, Father Michael, O. S. B., Very Rev. A. A. 
Lambing, and Very Rev. W. Cunningham, and the Rev. Pastor, Father 
Wertenbach, to whose untiring energy, the generous co-operation of his 
faithful people, and the blessing of God through it all, the success of such 
a great undertaking for such a small congregation, is due. In the winter 
of 1898-99 Father Wertenbach's health failed, and during his sojourn in 
the South and Southwest, the parish was attended by the Benedictine 
Fathers from St. Vincent's and the Capuchines from Pittsburgh. He re- 
signed in April, 1899. Rev. Peter May was appointed Pastor April 8th, 
1899. During the pastorate of Father May the congregation kept growing 
to such an extent that he asked the Bishop for an assistant, and the Rev. 
William Fromme came in July, 1907. The need of the parish was a school, 
sufficiently large to accommodate the increasing number of pupils. The 
present school building, three stories, of brick, commodious, well lighted, 
heated, ventilated, and fire-proof, containing, besides the school rooms, a 
large hall, a reading room, a recreation room, a society room, and a gym- 
nasium for the use of the St. Joseph's Young Men's Club, was accordingly 
erected on the full lot, formerly occupied by the first Church, at a cost of 
thirty-three thousand dollars. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 191 

After the death of Father May on November 9th, 1911, Rev. F. J. 
Eger, the present pastor, was appointed on December 21, 1911. The 
school attendance averages two hundred and eighty pupils, who are in 
charge of the Sisters of Divine Providence, the Choir of sixteen (male 
choir) is in charge of Adolph Propheter, Organist. The present Church 
Committee, elected triennially by the congregation, appointed by the 
Bishop of the Diocese, consists of the following gentlemen : Lucas J. 
Walter, Joseph Ketter, Edward Striebich, Philip Escher, Andrew Fischer, 
Henry Gelm and Henry Wells. 

Saint's Peter and Paul Greek Catholic Church was formally or- 
ganized May 18, 1896. There were seven charter members and Rev. 
Nicholas Steczovich was the first Pastor. This Church had its beginning 
when a number of Greek rite Catholic immigrants from Hungary founded 
the Greek Catholic Union, a Sick and Death Benefit fraternal organization. 
The property of the old First Presbyterian Church on George Street was 
purchased for $10,000. The parish has been extended until now a mem- 
bership of two thousand is reported and three hundred Sunday School 
Children. The present value of the real estate and buildings is about 
$100,000. 

The Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Polish Church was organized in 
the month of March, 1897, and was attended by a non-resident pastor 
from Duquesne, Rev. Anthony Smelsz. The membership grew rapidly and 
soon lots were purchased at Talbot Avenue and Sixth Street, where the 
present church was erected, the work of building starting in 1904 and was 
completed and dedicated with impressive ceremonies the next year. In 
May, 1906 the present Pastor, J. A. Rykaczewski was appointed to the 
parish, and under his administration the present school building was 
erected, where about 450 children in all the eight grades are taught by the 
Felician Sisters. The rectory on Sixth Street was also built in 1914. 

St. Michael's Greek Catholic Church, Third and Mound Streets, 
Rankin, was organized in 1900, and in 1907, on April 12, all Greek Catho- 
lics in Rankin decided to withdraw from the St. Peter and Paul's Church 
in Fraddock, to which they belonged. The basement of the Church was 
built first, and for about five years the congregation worshipped there. 
The entire Church was completed in 1911 and the parish home was built 
in 1915. Rev. John Szabo was the first Pastor and the present Pastor, 
Rev. Constantine Roskovics, ministers to 130 families, or about 500 souls. 

In 1916, April 23, the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of 
the Holy Resurrection was organized by Rev. Joseph K. Antonoff. The 



192 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

building was purchased from the Hibernian Society on Washington Ave- 
nue, between Eighth and Ninth Streets, and was re-constructed for Church 
purposes. This building, together with the Pastor's home, is valued at 
$18,000. A membership of about 1,500 is reported. 

There are several Protestant Churches and Missions among the for- 
eign speaking people in this community. Among them is the Bethlehem 
Slovak Congregational Mission Church. This work was started in July, 
1890, by Miss Anna Hodous, a graduate of the Schauffle Missionary Train- 
ing School for Young Women. Mr. Thomas Addenbrook was untiring in 
his efforts to effect this organization and has been a constant friend of this 
work ever since. Twelve members were enrolled at the beginning and 
now about 35 names are found on the roll. The work started in the home 
of Mr. John Jelinek, and after meeting in different halls, the present lo- 
cation on Talbot Avenue was secured and a Church erected, which is now 
valued at $12,000. This mission work inspired other denominations to 
start similar work ; and from this Church members went out and effected 
the organization of at least five other flourishing Churches in other 
towns. Rev. Andrew Gavlic, Pastor of the Slovak Congregational Church 
of Duquesne, is at present looking after the interests of the mission work. 

The St. Paul's Slovak Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized 
in October, 1891, through the special efforts of Mr. Julius Wolf for the 
Slovaks from Hungary of the Evangelical Lutheran faith. Services were 
first held in a hall on Washington Avenue and in the Congregational 
Church on Talbot Avenue at Sixth Street. Very soon this congregation 
was able to secure the brick church building at Eleventh Street and Halket 
Avenue, which was originally a school house, but had been purchased by 
the United Presbyterian Church and changed into a church building. This 
property cost $8,000 and after repairs and changes were made a pipe or- 
gan was received from Mr. Andrew Carnegie, which is valued at $2,000. 
The present membership numbers over 800 communicants and the prop- 
erty, including Church building, Parsonage and school room, has an esti- 
mated value of $35,000. The Sunday School, started only two years ago, 
numbers 120 children. According to the Church records, during the 26 
years of existence, there have been in this Church 2,718 baptisms, 597 mar- 
riages, and 679 funerals. Rev. Charles V. Molnar is the present Pastor. 

Mission work started among the Presbyterian Slovaks in 1900, serv- 
ices being held in the basement of the First Presbyterian Church. The 
organization of a Church took place May 15, 1908 with a membership of 
62 under the pastorate of Rev. Charles Molnar. A provisional session, 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 193 

composed of members of the First and Calvary Presbyterian Churches as- 
sisted in the completion of the organization. A building on Braddock 
Avenue between 12th and 13th Streets was purchased for $4,500 and was 
the first home of this mission Church. When in 1910 the Presbyterian 
Churches of Braddock were transferred from the Blairsville Presbytery 
to the Presbytery of Pittsburgh, the last named Presbytery erected a brick 
church building for the use of the congregation and for organized mission 
work. This Church was dedicated in January, 1913, and has a seating 
capacity of 250, the basement being used for Sabbath School, industrial 
work and social meetings. The total value of the Church property is 
$15,000. Since 1913 Rev. J. V. Kovar has been Pastor of the Church. 

The Free Gospel Church on Hawkins Avenue was organized in 1902 
by F. J. Casley. There are about 100 in its membership and 48 attend 
the Sunday School. The valuation of the present Church building is 
$3,500. 

The Synagogue Agudath Achim was organized October 14, 1894. 
Rev. Jacob M. Bazel was the first minister and served until January, 1917, 
when the present Rabbi, Rev. J. Leon Hillkowitz took his place. The or- 
ganization was effected in a room rented for worship purposes at Eleventh 
Street and Halket Avenue. Later a Synagogue was built on Talbot Ave- 
nue, near Eleventh Street, and ground was purchased for a Cemetery at 
Mucklerat and a Chapel built on this ground. There were 21 charter mem- 
bers and now the report gives 150 members with a Sunday School of 300. 
The valuation of the Synagogue property is $35,000. At present services 
are held twice daily in the Synagogue. On Friday evening (Sabbath eve) , 
besides the regular service special children's services are conducted and a 
sermon is delivered by Rabbi Hillkowitz. 

Other Churches whose history is not related in this chapter, are 
found listed in the complete chronological list on the preceeding pages. 
Any omissions are due to the failure of Churches or Ministers to furnish 
the material requested by the writer to make this chapter accurate and 
complete. 




TOP NORTH BRADDOCK HIGH SCHOOL, BRADDOCK, PA. 

MIDDLE— OLD FIRST WARD SCHOOL. BRADDOCK. PA. 
BOTTOM BRADDOCK HIGH SCHOOL. BRADDOCK. PA. 



SCHOOLS. 

BY GEORGE W. GILMORE. 

No better index to the character of a community can be found than 
what is reflected in the nature and conduct of its educational institutions. 
Where there is pride in its educational attainments and where these same 
facilities are stimulated by a healthy desire to grow and become a real 
factor in civilization backed by a generous tax levy for their main- 
tenance we find a progressive up-to-date community whose citizens are 
certain to become influential in county, state and nation. 

Such a community is Braddock and it is with considerable pride that 
we point to our institutions of learning both past and present and to the 
splendid accomplishments they have achieved. 

It is true that the maintenance of such a system of schools as this 
city enjoys is made possible only because the citizens of our city have felt 
the necessity for culture and refinement and the necessary practical side, 
made so because of the magnificent industrial growth of the community, 
and to this end have given liberally of their means for the support of these 
activities. 

Braddock Borough, formerly Braddock's Field, was incorporated in 
1867 from Wilkins Township and the only school property falling to the bor- 
ough in that division was a lot, corner of Eleventh Street and Talbot Av- 
enue, formerly Tonnaleuka and Beaujeu Streets, 138 feet by 275 feet, in the 
first ward and known as Carnegie sub district, on which was a building 30 
by 62 feet. This was the North half of the first building and five years later 
1872, an addition to this building was erected at a cost of $4,000. This build- 
ing was subsequently (in 1903) replaced by the present splendid structure 
with its equipment for modern school work. In 1881 five lots were pur- 
chased on Corey and Braddock Avenues on which was erected in 1883 a ten 
roomed building, at a cost of $19,500. This was known as the Hamilton 
building. In 1892 an addition was erected to this building consisting of 
eight rooms. 

In 1893 the Copeland district was annexed to Braddock as the fourth 
ward, but the schools did not come under the management of the Braddock 
School district until 1894. This annexation added one building of 8 rooms 
to the school property. 

The records show a continuous healthy growth during the succeeding 



196 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

year so that additional facilities became necessary. The next building was 
therefore planned on rather a large scale. In 1899 the present splendid 
property, known as the Henning School was erected. The building and 
grounds cost approximately $97,400. This building was modern in every 
detail and contained 14 school rooms, an auditorium and four rooms for 
high school, together with an office for the Superintendent, a Directors' 
room and a teachers' parlor. 

These four buildings continued to house the growing school popu- 
lation for 14 years until with the added remarkable growth of the high 
school and the consequent demands made for its broader scope, it was 
deemed best to remove the high school from the Henning building in order 
that this building might be given over exclusively to grade school work. 

The Board accordingly secured a piece of property fronting on Lil- 
lie avenue at a cost of $30,000 on which was erected a modern up-to-date 
high school building at a cost of about $183,000 making the cost of the 
present plant together with its furnishings and equipment $213,000. This 
high school building contains a chapel seating 500, 15 class rooms, 4 splen- 
didly equipped laboratories, two rooms well fitted up as a Commercial de- 
partment, a library, Superintendent and principals' offices, and Directors' 
room, together with a completely equipped gymnasium and well 
organized and furnished domestic science and manual training depart- 
ments. It was dedicated on May 7, 1915. 

It is thus seen that Braddock now has five good school buildings giv- 
ing accommodation for about 3,000 pupils in 80 school rooms. In all the 
number of teachers, employed by the district, including special teachers, is 
83. Compared with 1867 when we had two school rooms and two teachers 
it is readily seen what has been our growth. 

The first high school in Braddock was opened in 1887 and a three 
years' course was adopted, which was a normal course. As the number of 
pupils increased the courses were extended to include a commercial course 
and a College preparatory course. In 1900 the College preparatory was 
lengthened to four years so that now the school offers a full College pre- 
paratory course of either an academic or scientific trend, a general course 
and a four year Commercial course. In addition to these three courses, 
a two year special Commercial course is offered for those who cannot com- 
plete the four years' course for want of time. At the time the regular 
course of the high school was lengthened the grade course was reduced 
from nine years to eight years. Since the high school was organized it 
has graduated 370 pupils. The first class to graduate was in 1889 and 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 197 

consisted of eight pupils. At present there are enrolled in the high school 
325 pupils with a teaching force of twelve. 

Industrial training was introduced in the Braddock Schools in 1901 
through the generosity of Thomas Morrison, then Superintendent of the 
Edgar Thomson Works of the Carnegie Steel Company. 

In 1915 the eighth and seventh grades of the district were united in 
one group and organized into the Junior High School which was housed in 
the rooms made vacant by the removal of the high school to its present 
magnificent building. In 1915 a continuation school was organized, which 
gave instruction for certain definite hours each week to many who were 
still of school age but were compelled to work part of the time. 

In 1916 a school for backward children was organized and has proven 
of very great help to the less fortunate of our children. 

In the Fall of 1916 a school for foreigners was opened in the even- 
ings — the object being the instruction of men and women in the rudiments 
of English and in the principles of American Citizenship. This school en- 
rolled approximately three hundred. 

It is to be noted that a number of men who were, early in life, identi- 
fied with Braddock schools, later achieved success in other fields of en- 
deavor. Mr. J. S. Johnston went from Braddock schools to the Superin- 
tendency of Allegheny county schools. He was succeeded in that office by 
Dr. Samuel Hamilton, also from Braddock, who has held that position con- 
tinuously since 1886, more than thirty-one years, and is now the longest 
in service of any County Superintendent in the United States. He has at 
the present time, under his direct supervision, more teachers than any 
other County Superintendent in this country, in spite of the fact that 
within the territory of the county are two city and nine borough superin- 
tendencies. Mr. E. D. Twitmyer went from Braddock to the Portland, Ore- 
gon schools, and there has won distinction by his explorations of Mt. Raini- 
er. Mr. E. W. Moore became a successful attorney. Mr. J. W. Vande- 
Venter, who was, incidentally, a singer and choir leader, later gave up 
teaching for evangelistic work. Mr. G. M. Fowles went into the Methodist 
ministry and now holds a very important position in connection with the 
foreign mission work. Mr. F. E. Simcox went into the China mission 
field, and with his wife, who was his class mate at Grove City college, and 
their three children, was murdered in the Boxer uprising. 



198 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

The following have served either as Principal or Superintendent of 
the Braddock Schools: 

PRINCIPALS. 

I. N. Cooper 1868-70 J. S. Johnston 1876-81 

A. M. Vantine 1870-71 A. T. Douthitt 1881-82 

S. C. Farrier 1871-72 Samuel Hamilton 1882-86 

J. P. McCord 1872-73 E. B. Twitmyer 1886-88 

L. B. Welsh 1873-75 A. S. Brubaker 1888-89 

John Bailey 1875-76 J. T. Anderson 1889-90 

E. \V. Moore 1890-93 

SUPERINTENDENTS. 

E. W. Moore 1893-one month Geo. H. Lamb 1900-1903 

J. S. Reefer" ' 1893-1900 Grant Norris 1903-1912 

F. C. Steltz... .1912- 

The present Faculty of the High School consists of twelve mem- 
bers as follows: 

Geo. W. Gilmore, Principal; Myrtle Herbert, German; Margaret 
Wilson, English; Margaret Cosgrove, Algebra; Mary Brown, English; 
Harriet Gardner, English; Geo. L. White, Commercial; Emma Pipes, 
Latin; Olive Taylor, Mathematics; Howard Williams, Science; William 
Martin, History ; Raymond Cox, Civics. 

The following persons have been regularly employed as teachers in 
the Braddock School district: — 

Achinson, Jennie; Addenbrook. Louisa; Aiken, W. J.: Allen, 
Harriet; Bailey, Edna; Bailey, Jennie; Bair, Ethel; Bair, Margaret (Mrs. 
Eisaman) ; Baker, Bertha; Barackman, J. B. ; Bates, Sadie; Bell, Margaret 
C; Bell, Mary I.; Bennett, Jennie (Mrs. Flenniker) ; Bennett, M. E.; Blatt- 
ner, Rose ; *Bonner, Mary ; Bowers, R. E. ; Bowler, Rhoda R. ; Bowman, 
Agnes; Brackemeyer, Margaret (Mrs. Geo. Price); Branthoover, Nettie; 
Bridges, Millie (Mrs. Wm. Hogg) ; Bridges, Stasia (Mrs. H. F. Fisher) ; 
Brisbin, Lillian; Broad, Bessie M. ; Brown, Mary; *Brown, Sadie; Bruce, 
Carolyn; Brubaker, Ella; Brenneman, Emma; Bruxner. Amanda; Bryan, 
Annie (Mrs. Sherwin) ; Bryan, Lottie (Mrs. W. G. Purdy) ; Bryan, Olive 
(Mrs. Hess) ; Buzza, Bella M. ; Callahan, Elsie (Mrs. J. P. Stephens) ; Camp, 
Sallie A. ; Campbell, Nannie ; Canan, Eva ; Carey, John A. ; Carmack, Zynett ; 
Carr, Edith C; Carr, Grace (Mrs. John Killeen) ; Carrol, Minnie A.; Car- 
ruthers, Ruth (married); Carvey, Lillie M. (married); Chester, Edna; 
Chisholm, Mary; Clancy, Louise; Clarke, Ella; Clark, Ida; Clark, Mame E. ; 

(1) See note at end of this article. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 199 

Clark, Sarah L.; Coble, Mary S. ; Cochran, Vista (Mrs. John W. Hanna) ; 
Colebank, L; Coleman, Josephine; Conley, Margaret; Cooney, Emma; 
Cooper, Mrs. M.; Cooper, Wiletto; Corey, Mary E. (married); Cosgrove, 
Margaret; Coursin, Augusta (Mrs. Wm. Larimer); Covert, Ada; Cox, 
Raymond A. ; Craig, Agnes ; Craig, Elizabeth ; Craig, Lucy ; *Craig, Maude ; 
Cramer, Roxana (Mrs. Bowman) ; *Cummings, Lizzie; Davies, Ida; Davies, 
Margaret I.; Davies, Zilla; Davis, Ethel; Day, Evelyn (Mrs. Hoffman); 
Delo, Margaret; Dieffenbacher, Vallie (Mrs. Wm. Packer); Dillon, Berna 
(Mrs. Hollis Ardinger) ; Dixon, Frances L. ; Dougherty, Delia (married); 
Dougherty, Kathiyn ; Downey, Mary (married) ; Drewes, Irene W. ; Dyess, 
Nettie; Eagleson, Rebecca; Ellis, Sarah E. ; Ellis- Grace; Emeigh, Pearle; 
Eakin, Milton J. ; Fauset, Annie (Mrs. Taylor) ; Fellabaum, N. Maud (mar- 
ried) ; Fix, Margaret (Mrs. Ralph Magee) ; Fixel, G. Wm. ; Fornwalt, Mary 
S. ; Foster, Marie (Mrs. Fred Pilgrim) ; Fowles, M. G. ; Frederick, Jessie 
(Mrs. Miller) ; *Fritzius, Jennie (Mrs. McGeary) ; Fuller, Annabel (Mrs. 
Hendricks); Galbraith, Minnie (Mrs. Heath); Gallager, Gabrielle; Gard- 
ner, Emma (Mrs. Reuben Abbiss) ; Gilfillan, Grace; Gilmore, George W. ; 
Given, Gladys; Glass, Lucy B. ; Gorsuch, Nelle F. (Mrs. Roy Musselman) ; 
Griffin, Anne M. ; Grimm, Delia M. ; Guss, Anna May ; Hall, Clara ; Hamil- 
ton, Fannie M. (Mrs. T. W. Stephens) ; Hanna, Nellie (married) ; Harrop, 
Hazel P.; *Hart, Clara; Haymaker, Seward; Heath, Helen G. ; Henning, 
Melissa; Henning, C. J.; Herbert Myrtle; Hess, Maude; Hicks, Clara; 
Higgins, Elizabeth; Hill, Lucy; Hindeger, Annie; Holland, Minnie A. (Mrs. 
Charles E. Lilley) ; Holland, Lovina (Mrs. Remington); Holliday, Jane; 
Horner, Lillie ; Hooper, Emma (Mrs. Jas. Brindley) ; Horrocks, Martha B. ; 
Hough, Mary ; House, Marjorie (Mrs. Geo. A. House) ; Houseman, Ella 
F.; Huggins, Estella; Hyslop, Anna May (Mrs. Townsend) ; Irwin, Cather- 
ine; Isenberg, Frances G. ; Jack, Harriet W. ; James, Elizabeth (married) ; 
James, Lavina (Mrs. Pollard); Jenkins, M. E. ; Jennings, Alice M. (Mrs. 
Milleken) ; Jones, Hilda R. ; Jones, Julia M. ; Jones, Margaret; Kene, Ida M. ; 
Keener, Beckie; Kelly, Elizabeth G. ; Kelly, Jessie; Kelly, Louise; Kennedy, 
Ella F. ; Kepler, Mary (Mrs. Parkhurst) ; Kilcoyne, Annie R.; Kimes, Anna 
M.; King, Mary E. ; Kinter, Edna F. (Mrs. McClelland) ; Kinter, Ralph F. ; 
Knox, Eileen A. ; Koesel, Jeanette ; Krise, Daniel H. ; Kunes, Anne M. ; Lam- 
bie, Jeanette; Lamb, Sada M. ; Lane, Arvilla A.; Law, Bertha V.; Lea, 
Anna ; Leech, Blanche ; Leeger, Marian K. ; Leighton, Annie (Mrs. A. M. 
Stevenson). ; *Leighton, Julia; Lenhart, Julia; Liken, Ada; Liston, Julia 
D. ; Little, J. E.; Lloyd, Elizabeth; Long, Stella; Lotsman, Mabel; Lots- 
man, Zelma; Louis, Blanche (Mrs. McKelvey) ; Love, Kate M. ; Love, Maud; 



200 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

Lowman, Pearl; Lowry, Georgia; Lytle, Jean M.; Lytle, Kate (Mrs. C. C. 
Clifford); *Lytle, Sue; Malone, Elizabeth C; Marks, Stella N.; Magel- 
lan, Perina (Mrs. Bennett) ; Marshall, Adah L. ; Marshall, Mary J.; Martin, 
Eva; Martin, Wm. J.; -Mathews, Sadie (Mrs. Allewelt) ; MacCord, Anna; 
McBride, Bertille J.; McCain, Alice (Mrs. Johnston) ; McCain, Carrie; Mc- 
Call- Mary E. ; McCarty, Ethel (Mrs. George Dowler) ; McClain, Margaret 
(Mrs. William McBride) ; McCully, Mayme; *McCune, Minnie (Mrs. Sam- 
uel Hamilton); McCune, Mrs. Sarah E.; McElhaney, Clare; McElhaney, 
Helen C. ; Mcllvoy, Clare; McKeever, Jennie (Mrs. McKelvey) ; McKeever, 
Martha; McKeever, Nannie; McKillop, Elizabeth ; McKinley,. Catherine (Mrs. 
G. E. F. Gray); McKinley, Mary I.; McKnight. Mary R.; McLaughlin, 
Katherine (Mrs. N. E. Wierbach) ; McLaughrey, Bessie; McNaugher, W. 
H. ; McWilliams, Maud; *Meacham, Fred A.; Means, Emma B.; Mench, 
Florence; Meyers, Cora B. ; Michener, Kate; Miller, Jessie L. ; Miller, Min- 
nie; *Mills, Eliza; Minds, Eliza M.; Mitchell, Carrie; Morgan, Edith F. ; 
Morrison, Ilulia R. ; Morton, E. A.; Munson, Emeline (Mrs. Shirey) ; Mur- 
ray, Frances; Murtland, Cleo; Musselman, Lois; Neville, Grace; Nevins, 
Etta L. ; Nevins, Lena (Mrs. Alfred Sherwin) ; Newingham, G. Gertrude ; 
Nimon, Nellie F. ; Nolin, Nancy H. ; Nugent, Anna (married); O'Neill, 
Emma N. ; Orr, Anna; Osier, Hester; Oster, Ruth; Park, Jennie; Park, 
Florence; 'Patch, Sarah; 111 Patterson, Jennie; Patton, Kathryn (Mrs. Chas. 
Bair; Pearce, Emma (Mrs. Geo. , Jackson) ; Pennington, Mary; *Petty, 
Bertha (Mrs. Ray Lynch); Petty, Anna (married); Pflasterer, Annie; 
Phillips, Alice; Phillips, Mary; Phipps, Mabel E.; Pines, Anna M.; Pink- 
erton, Floyd V.; Pipes, Emma; Pizor, Lizzie; Pratt, Emma I.; Pyne, Grace; 
Radcliffe, J. N.; Ralston, Mary; Randolph, Ella (married); Reardon, 
Mary; Redman. Maggie (Mrs. David Miller) ; Reed, Edna (married) ; Reed, 
Vera N. ; Reese, Margaret; Remington, Lois (Mrs. I. W. Keener); Rey- 
nolds, Mae; *Rhodes, S. A.; Rich, D. L.; Robinson, Anna May; Rodkey, 
Florence (Mrs. Ernest Craighead); Roney, Margaret; Rugh, Bessie L. ; 
Schall, M. Agnes; Schoals, Agnes; Scott, Margaret; Shaffer, 0. N.; Shal- 
lenberger, Laura B.; *Shane, Jennie; Sharp, Genevieve; Sheeran, Elizabeth 
(married) ; Shepard, M. A. (Mrs. Reid) ; Shepard, Elizabeth; Shorts, Clyde 
P.; Shupe, Abbie ; Shultz, Charles; Shryock, Lucy; Sill, Marguerite (Mrs. 
Limbad) ; Singer, Mary J.; Simcox, F. L.; Smith, C. L.;*Soles, Ella; Soles, 
Martha (Mrs. W. S. Blair) ; Spur, Dillie; Spires, Coral C. (married) ; St. 
Clair, Clara (Mrs. W. H. Brown) ; Stein, Lizzie; Steinmetz, Dillie; Stedeford, 
Lotta (married) ; Sterling, Lelah L. (Mrs. Doan) ; Stevenson. Louella; Stew- 
art, Ina M.; Stewart, Myra I.; Stinner, Mary M. : *Stoody, Louise; Strang, 



(1) Miss Patch died of pneumonia on Christmas Day, 191fi, after twenty years 
of faithful service as Principal of Copeland Sub-district school. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 201 

Mary (Mrs. George Stroup) ; Strathern, Daisy (Mrs. John Leberman) ; 
Stroup, Bessie; Stucki, Anna M. (Mrs. Wm. Husband); Suter, Gertrude 
(married) ; Swaney, Catherine (Mrs. Del. King) ; Swaney, Jessie (Mrs. 
Thomas) ; *Sweadner, Eva B. ; Sweadner, Mary (Mrs. Ed. Sharah) ; Taylor, 
Olive; Taylor, Miss; Teny, Lillie; Thomas, Alice C. ; Thomas, Anna B. ; 
Thomas, Martha ; Thomson, John ; Thompson, Mary H. ; Throckmorton, Nan- 
na ; Todd, L. L. ; Van Deventer, J. W. ; Van Kirk, Adeline ; Van Voorhis, Vio- 
la; Walters. Bertha (Mrs. Hugo) ; Walton, Sarah; Weaklan, Bertha; Weav- 
er, Lula D. (Mrs. Caldwell); Weil, George; West, Charlotte ; Westgate, 
Helen E. (married) ; Wheeler, Carrie; White, Dora; White, G. L. ; Williams, 
S. Howard; Wilson, Lizzie; Wilson, Sciota V. ; Wilson, Lillian; Wilson, Mar- 
garet M. ; Winfield, Sadie (married); Wingert, Clara M. ; Wood, C. C. ; 
Wood, Thomas; Yarlett, Nannie; Young, Anna. 

The present Board of Education of Braddock is: President, Ira. C. 
Harris, M. D. ; Secretary, Samuel D. Hamilton; Treasurer, Harry E. Mc- 
Bride; Vice President, John F. Lowry and William C. Boli, Edward M. 
Sharrah, and Benjamin H. Jones. 

In addition to the present system of schools, Braddock has been for- 
tunate in the possession of several other systems of schools both public 
and private. 

The first educational institution to be established in this community 
was the Edgeworth Ladies Seminary, the oldest and first boarding school 
west of the Alleghany Mountains. The school was opened in 1825 at Pitts- 
burgh, by Mrs. Mary Olver, a religious English woman of pronounced 
educational views. The school remained only a few years in Pittsburgh 
and was then moved to Braddock's Field and made a boarding school. The 
tuition was $3.00 per week and it enrolled students from all over Central 
United States, east of the Mississippi River. 

The first catalogue contained the names of many prominent families 
in Westmoreland, Fayette, Washington, and other counties contiguous to 
this neighborhood. 

The building of the Seminary is still standing on Library Street, 
and is now the home of Mr. David F. Collingwood. This building is re- 
nowned as the house in which the Marquis de Lafayette was entertained 
while in this community. 

In 1836 the school was moved by the founder to Sewickley with 
the idea that the scope of the school would be thus enlarged. 



202 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

GREER BUSINESS COLLEGE. 

Braddock has only one private school. A private educational in- 
stitution that can maintain itself for nineteen years in the face of the 
growth and development of public school facilities must have real merit. 
When the school was opened it was the general impression that Braddock 
would not support such a school, because of its close proximity to the city 
of Pittsburgh, but its successful operation proves that Braddock needed 
an institution of this character. 

There can be no doubt that this school has been serviceable to 
Braddock and vicinity, as it enables hundreds of young people to give all 
or part of their time to specific preparation along practical lines. Evidence 
of this is found in the fact that fully ninety per cent of its 500 graduates are 
holding desirable positions in this and other communities. 

The school was opened October 1898 in a room in the Masonic build- 
ing, over the First National Bank, now occupied by the Famous depart- 
ment store. Mr. D. Newton Greer, the proprietor, was previously associate 
proprietor and principal with Mr. M. E. Bennett of the Morrell Institute, 
Johnstown, Pennsylvania. 

In 1900 Mr. Greer had constructed at his own expense an additional 
story to the building at 837 Braddock Avenue. These quarters becoming 
too small, in 1908 the third floor of the Russell building, at 836 Braddock 
Avenue, was leased. These more commodious and pleasant quarters are 
still the home of the school. 

The Greer Business College offers a course of study that is modern 
in all respects, which is as complete as any school of this character — cover- 
ing the following courses: Shorthand and Typewriting, Bookkeeping and 
Office Practice, Business English and Penmanship, Engineering and 
Mechanical Drawing. 

The Annual Commencement Exercises, the first of which were held 
in the year 1900 (and through the courtesy of the Library are always held 
in the Carnegie Music Hall,) have become memorable in the Monongahela 
Valley. They are looked forward to with increasing interest because of 
their incentive to greater effort and nobler achievement. The Dinkey 
Gold Medal, the gift of Mr. Charles E. Dinkey, is presented to the graduate 
who gives the most pleasing performance at these exercises. Men of 
State and National reputation are engaged to address the graduates. 

The graduating class of 1917 numbered 39 students. The Alumni 
Association was formed in 1915, and its last annual banquet, at Hotel 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 203 

Schenley, Pittsburgh, June 12, 1916, was a social function of intelligence 
and refinement. 

The social side of the life of the school is not neglected. The 
A-Gree(r)-a-ble Club which is very active, was formed by members of the 
school in 1916. To be eligible to membership to this club one must be not 
only a Greer-a-ble but agreeable as well. 

Mr. Greer has become identified with much that pretains to Brad- 
dock's welfare, and being active in things outside of the school is enabled 
to bring an unusual amount of experience into the school. Mr. Reuben D. 
Abbiss, Graduate of State College, is principal of the Engineering and 
Mechanical Drawing Department, Miss Mae A. Legal, of the Greer School, 
secretary of the Alumni Association, is instructor in the stenographic de- 
partment. Miss Agnes Tallent is an assistant teacher. 

The schools of North Braddock borough have been no whit behind 
the Braddock schools. Indeed, there has always been a healthy rivalry 
between the schools of the two boroughs. Before North Braddock was or- 
ganized into a borough, the Bell Avenue school, a large graded school for 
the township was in operation. Mr. C. B. McCabe held the principalship 
of this school in the township, and continued to act in that capacity for some 
years after the borough was organized. In the borough originally was an 
eight room frame building in the First ward, known as the Brinton Avenue 
school, and a four room frame in the Third ward, called the Shady Park 
school. These frame structures have been supplanted with substantial 
brick buildings which have been enlarged from time to time until each of 
them now has twenty rooms, and each is further equipped with a large 
auditorium, which is used as a community center. The borough also has 
a large commodius High school building, fireproof and thoroughly modern, 
with gymnasium and auditorium and is now erecting a Junior high school. 

Mr. John L. Spitler succeeded Mr. McCabe as Principal of the bor- 
ough graded schools. On his retirement several years ago, the Board 
adopted the unique plan of having a separate Principal for each ward, the 
work being co-ordinated through conferences of the Principals. This 
method has proven satisfactory under the careful and efficient supervision 
and co-operation of Miss Isabel White. Principal of First ward school, Miss 
Elizabeth Wakeham, Principal of Second ward school, and Mrs. Jennie S. 
Lapsley, Principal of Third ward school. 

Under the authority of the school Board, vacation schools are con- 
ducted during the forenoons, for six weeks of the summer season, in North 
Braddock as in Braddock. 



204 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

North Braddock High school has always been maintained at a high 
standard. Its management has been and is, kept separate from the grade 
school supervision. Mr. S. R. McClure was far many years Principal of the 
High school. He was assisted part of the time by Mr. Jos. F. Mayhugh. 
Both of these gentlemen are now prominent and successful attorneys, and 
both are members of the North Braddock school Board, Mr. Mayhugh be- 
ing President and Mr. McClure Vice President of that body. 

Mr. McClure was succeeded as Principal by Prof. E. F. Loucks, and 
he by Miss Cecil Dean. On the resignation of Miss Dean to accept a posi- 
tion in the Schenley High school, Pittsburgh, Mr. W. E. Albig was en- 
gaged as Principal, and is still at the head of this department. 

The first class to be graduated from North Braddock High school 
was in 1894, and had six members. A class has been graduated every year 
since, save in 1915. At that time a year was added to the curriculum, 
making it a four-year course. In all, the school now numbers 294 grad- 
uates. A very active alumni association is maintained, which encourages 
the work of the undergraduates by providing valuable prizes. The award- 
ing of these prizes always adds interest to the Commencement program. 

The music of the North Braddock schools deserves special mention. 
Its excellence is in a great measure due to the efficient work of Miss Lillian 
Frazier, who has had charge of this department for a number of years. 

The organization and present teaching force of North Braddock 
schools are here given: 

Directors — J. F. Mayhugh, President; S. R. McClure, Vice President; 
Dr. J. C. Hartman, John W. Hanna, H. M. Glenn, E. V. White, Jacob C. 
Coleman, P. A. K. Black, Secretary. 

Principals of Grammar Schools — Isabel White, Jennie S. Lapsley, 
Elizabeth Wakeham. 

Principal High School — William Espey Albig. 

First Ward, (Brinton) — Isabel White, Principal; Margaret K. Mor- 
gan, Mary I. Bell, Julia G. Gallagher, Cora Coulter, Florence E. Saunders, 
M. Elizabeth Magill, Sara. E. Gordon, Naomi Wilson, Irma J. White, Char- 
lotte Truby, Wilhelmina Falls, Pearl A. Brown, Clade McClary, Belva J. 
Lanich, Frances Coulter, Bess C. Montgomery, Ina P. Berringer, Marguer- 
ite Jameson, Margaret Stephens, Jennie Coe, Lillian M. Donovan. 

Second Ward — Elizabeth Wakeham, Principal ; Mary L. Campbell, 
Ray Jenkins, Betha J. Stutzman, Frances Martin, Ethel Christenson, 
Carolyn Johnston, Ella Mae Rinard, Agnes R. Brandon, Mary E. Bryan, 
Elsie Alexander, Florence Applegate, S. Eleanor McBride, Lillian Mowry, 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 205 

Caroline Fellenbaum, Bess B. Cooper, Jennie G. Christy, Madge E. Miller. 

Third Ward — Jennie S. Lapsley, Principal ; Garnett Anderson, Alma 
C. Cochran, Ethel Sheplar, Blanche Crozier, Forest Null, Alice E. Johns- 
ton, Ocie McCoy, Madge Dean, Jean Dillon, M. Leslie Hutchinson, Margaret 
McMinn, Myrtle Jones, Rebecca Eagleson, Virginia D. Latta, Lottie E. At- 
well, Stella D. McDowell, Lillian L. McCracken, Charlotte Johnston, Mabelle 
Agnes Means. 

High School— W. E. Albig, Principal ; J. Foster Gehrett, J. W. Cam- 
eron, Lillie Minehart, Etta Reed, Edwin Hurrell, Miss Roberts, 0. P. 
Ballantyne. 

Special Teachers — Miss Lillian Frazier, Music ; Miss Esther Fromme, 
Diction and Dramatics; Miss Wertheimer, Physical Instructor. 

The growth of the Rankin schools has been no less rapid than that 
of the other boroughs of the trio. For two years after the borough was 
organized, the children were sent to the Copeland district, then a township 
school. In 1894, four rooms were opened in the new Rankin school, with 
Miss Mary Kennedy as Principal. When Miss Kennedy resigned in 1899 
to become the wife of Prof. Samuel Hamilton, then and now the efficient 
County Superintendent of schools, there were nine teachers. Miss Eliza- 
beth Thompson became Principal in 1899, and continued in that capacity 
until 1911 when she was succeeded by Prof. R. S. Penfield, who has had 
supervision from that date to the present. In 1917, the district was with- 
drawn from County supervision, and a borough Superintendency was cre- 
ated, Mr. Penfield being chosen as the first Superintendent. 

In 1900 another large building was erected on the ground beside 
the original school. A four-room addition was built to this structure in 
1913, and in 1915 a large building was constructed on Hawkins Avenue. 
In addition to a dozen school rooms, offices, and the like, this building has 
a large auditorium which is the meeting place for all local assemblies. 

Rankin, more than any other borough in this section has developed 
the work of the free kindergarten. This has been rendered necessary by 
reason of the large percentage of foreign born residents. The teachers 
find that a year's training in doing things and in learning to comprehend 
and speak the language, before these children reach school age, is a great 
help when they come regularly into the school. 

Although the borough has not yet provided thoroughly equipped 
manual training and domestic science departments, instruction is given in 
sewing and other manual arts. Special attention is given to music, drawing 
and physical training, under careful supervision. 



206 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

Rankin has never maintained a High school, but sends pupils above 
eighth grade to the High schools of the surrounding borougns, Braddock, 
North Braddock, and Swissvale. 

The organization and teaching force of Rankin schools at the present 
time is as follows : 

Officers of the School Board — E. N. Patterson, President; A. 0. 
Marks, Vice President; H. W. Peters, Secretary; Geo. Watt, Treasurer; 
R. S. Penfield, Superintendent. 

Directors— E. N. Patterson, A. 0. Marks, H. W. Peters, H. C. 
Dixon, M. J. Hughes, Jr., John Henderson, Martin Matelon. 

Superintendent, Mr. R. S. Penfield ; Assistant Principal, Miss Sarah 
Palmer; Miss Claire Griffin, Music; Miss Lucetta Arnold, Drawing, 3 days 
per week; Miss Grace Petty, Sewing, 4 days per week; Miss Mary Shaw, 
Kindergarten ; Miss Stella Duff, Assistant Kindergarten ; Miss Agnes Rid- 
dle, Miss Marie Escher, Miss Hilda Rodgers, Miss Maude Marks, Miss Ida 
Williams, Miss Anne Griffin, Miss Mary McLaughlin, Miss Marguerite Todd, 
Miss Margaret Dieghan, Miss Rose Bonner, Miss Eva Noel, Miss Grace 
Pruden, Miss Mary Charlton, Miss Josie Brant, Miss Edna Johnson, Miss 
Mary Gardner, Miss Effie McClune, Miss Laura Heimlich, Miss Margaret 
McBride, Miss Ellen Anderson, Miss Bertha Stewart, Miss Rhoda Straw- 
bridge, Miss Jane Reno, Miss Adda M. Purdy, Miss Margaret Brown, Miss 
Helen Brennan, Miss Mae Myers, Miss Leah Greenwood, Miss Mary Ham- 
ilton, Miss Carrie Wiley, Miss Margaretta Martin, Miss Rose Roderus. 

In addition to the public schools, the Braddock community maintains 
a number of large parochial schools. Prominent among these is the St. 
Thomas school which is fully described in connection with the St. Thomas 
parish in Rev. J. V. Wright's article on the churches. St. Joseph parish 
also maintains a good school as mentioned in Father Eger's account of the 
church activities. St. Brendin's parish, under the pastorate of Father 
Patrick Molyneux also conducts a parish school. All of these schools have 
buildings separate from the churches. 

St. Michael's parochial school was established in 1903, in a separate 
building, though for six years previous to that time regular instruction was 
given in the church. The teaching force came from Hungary, Sisters of 
St. Vincent de Paul society, graduates of Hungarian Normal School. At 
that time the school had 120 children; there are in 1917, 503. This work 
among people of this nationality has spread from Braddock to surround- 
ing towns, as Homestead, McKeesport, Mount Pleasant, Donora, and South 
Side, Pittsburgh. The language used is English with the excepticr of 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 207 

Christian doctrine, and the teaching of the children to read and write the 
language of the country from which their parents came. The school is 
growing rapidly and will soon require additional buildings. Rev. A. Kaz- 
inczy, pastor of the parish, has charge of the school. 

Sacred Heart Polish school was established in 1897. The present 
school building, fireproof, erected at a cost of $45,000.00, was started in 
1908. Only one story was built at that time, but it was completed, three 
stories with nine class rooms, in 1914. The school numbers 450 children, 
taught by Felician sisters of Detroit. Children are taught through the 
eight grades, both English and Polish. Rev. J. A. Rykaczewski is the 
pastor in charge of the parish and the school. 



Note on Supt. John S. Keefer — 

Prof. John S. Keefer was indentified with Braddock schools for many years, 
first as teacher in high school, then as Principal of the hig'h school, and later as bor- 
ough Superintendent. He was cut clown in the midst of his usefulness, by typhoid 
fever. As a slight indication of the esteem, in which he was held a tablet was erected 
to his memory at the entrance to the Henning Ibuilding which reads: 

JOHN S. KEEFER, 

Superintendent .1893-1900 

Died April 11th, A. I). 1900. 

Erected by Pupils. 

Teachers and Principals 

of the Braddock Public Schools. 



FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. 

BY E. M. SHARAH. 

The financial status of a community is measured by the business 
done by its banking institutions. Braddock's place in colonial history is 
well established. Its influence as a manufacturing center, particularly of 
iron and steel products, is also world wide — many of its steel men, past 
and present, being known and quoted in Europe almost as familiarly as 
on the streets at home. In financial circles, too, its banks are recognized 
as nothing less than phenomenal for a community of its size. Time was 
when men from foreign countries coming to America and earning money 
to send back to their families had great difficulty in procuring foreign ex- 
change. Private banks, posing under the sign, "Foreign Exchange Bank," 
or other equally euphonious and misleading title, handled a large part of 
this business, and the "breaking" of these banks was a common occurrence. 
And many a hard working man has paid his money into these wild-cat in- 
stitutions to bring his family to America only to find after weeks and 
months of anxious waiting, that his family had never received the money, 
and that the "Foreign Exchange Bank" had collapsed and the banker was 
gone. The Braddock National Bank was the first in the country to take 
up this foreign exchange business systematically, and wrought a com- 
plete revolution in the method of handling foreign accounts. The national 
banks of Braddock, by employing clerks and tellers who can speak to the 
foreign born men in their own language — whatever part of the world they 
are from — and by scrupulous care in the handling of these accounts, re- 
gardless of the amount of money involved in the transaction, have put all 
such private banks of this section out of business. In consequence, day 
laborers, foreign born as well as native, by the thousands, carry a bank ac- 
count; and they have come to look to their banker as financial adviser just 
as much as they look to their pastor for spiritual counsel. 

The Braddock banks take care of the little people. The man who 
has but a few dollars to deposit receives the same courteous treatment, 
the same care, the same sound advice as to investment as does the man 
with the large account. 

The natural result of this sympathy and fair dealing between the 
banks and their clients has been to create a total deposit in all the financial 
institutions located here that is, to say the least, unusual. Where else in 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



209 



the world is there a city of forty thousand population that can show a 
bank deposit of more than twelve million dollars, or more than three hun- 
dred dollars for each man, woman and child enumerated? 

Even the children are encouraged to start bank accounts, and 
school deposits and holiday savings club accounts are systematically pro- 
moted and fostered. Many banks do not care for the small depositor, 
for such business is handled by the financial institution many times at an 
actual loss, but for the fact that larger things develop from these small 





JOHN G. KELLY. 



GEO. C. WATT. 



beginnings ; and the Braddock banks have learned from experience, "Once 
a depositor always a depositor." 

Most city banks and many in smaller places close the week's busi- 
ness at noon Saturday. Braddock banks do regular business on Saturday 
until 4:00 o'clock, then open their doors again at 6:00. Saturday evening 
at the banks is like a rush at a bargain counter in a department store. It 
is not unusual to see a line of depositors in front of the receiving teller's 
window like that at a nickelodeon which has advertised a new Charley 
Chaplin film. The bank clerks and officers work more hours and more 
continuously than the men in the industrial plants. 



210 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

BRADDOCK NATIONAL BANK AND BESSEMER TRUST COMPANY. 

Among the conspicuous objects of interest in Braddock is the 
stately home of the Braddock National Bank, the history of which began 
in 1873 when Braddock was a village of three hundred inhabitants, and 
Braddock Avenue was a plank road. 

The first banking institution in Braddock was Braddock's Field 
Trust Company. It was incorporated by a special charter January 1, 
1873. Its capital stock was $60,000.00, of which only $50,000.00 was paid 
in. Its first Directors were, Wilson S. Packer, Robert E. Stewart, Robert 
P. Duff, John A. Carothers, Henry R. Chalfant, Moses G. Corey, John H. 
McMasters, J. D. Schooley, M. D., and W. L. Hunter, M. D. Wilson S. 
Packer was President and John G. Kelly, Cashier. Of these men all are 
now dead except Mr. Duff and Mr. Kelly. 

The Trust Company began business in Seewald's Hotel, the three- 
story brick building on Braddock Avenue near Ninth Street. It remained 
in the hotel until 1876, when it was removed to its own building on Brad- 
dock Avenue and Tenth Street, a large two-story edifice, now known as 
Rosenbloom's building. 

In 1882 the Trust Company was merged into the Braddock Na- 
tional Bank, which was incorporated on the 28th of November in that 
year, with a capital of $60,000.00, which in a few months was increased to 
$100,000.00. The Bank building on Tenth Street was sold, and the Brad- 
dock National Bank did business in the Schooley Building until the com- 
pletion of its new home on the north side of Braddock Avenue near the 
head of Ninth Street. This building was erected in 1883, and was occu- 
pied by the Braddock National Bank for 23 years, until it moved to its 
present quarters in 1906. 

In the year 1909 the Capital was $100,000.00 and the Surplus Fund 
and Undivided Profits $600,000.00, and at that time a Stock Dividend of 
100 per cent was declared by the Directors of the Bank, increasing the 
capital to $200,000.00, with a Surplus Fund of $500,000.00. At the time 
of this Stock Dividend the Braddock National Bank stood seventh in the 
United States on the Roll of Honor of National Banks, as compiled from 
the figures in the office of the Comptroller of the Currency at Washing- 
ton, D. C. Since then $100,000.00 more has been added to the Surplus 
Fund from earnings, making the Surplus Fund at this time $600,000.00. 

The Bessemer Trust Company, which is under the same manage- 
ment as the Braddock National Bank, was incorporated November 22, 
1905. The Bessemer Trust Company loans money on bonds and mortgages 




BRADDOCK NATIONAL BANK. 



212 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

and acts as executor, administrator, guardian, committee agent, registrar, 
transfer agent and trustee. It has a cash capital of $125,000.00 and re- 
sources approximating $2,000,000.00. 

During the early days of banking in this country it was not con- 
sidered ethical for banks to advertise in any way, but Mr. Kelly, im- 
mediately after establishing this bank in Braddock, started a publicity 
campaign of education, which has been kept up until the present time. 
The Braddock National Bank was probably the first bank in the country 
to advertise, by booklets and pamphlets, through personal distribution, 
the value of thrift among its customers, urging upon them the benefit of 
industry and economy. The desirability of this kind of educational ad- 
vertising is now recognized by every banking and financial institution in 
the country. 

What the Braddock National Bank is today is largely due to the ag- 
gressive ability of its President, John G. Kelly, who is a financier of accu- 
rate judgment, large experience and unquestioned integrity. The Bank 
today is in the front rank of National Banks. Its cash capital is $200,- 
000.00 and its resources amount to nearly nine million dollars. 



(Editor's Note.) — The plain statement of fact contained in this article relative 
to the Braddock National Bank and the Bessemer Trust Co. was given by Mr. John 
G. Kelly to Mr. G. W. Penn, who wrote it as it appears. The statement, while scru- 
pulously exact, fails to give sufficient credit to Mr. Kelly, and to Mr. Geo. A. Todd, 
who have been largely instrumental in building up a financial institution which is 
recognized throughout the country as one of the best. 

Mr. Kelly has been and still is, a man with a vision. Starting in his young man- 
hood as the head of a small financial institution in a small suburban town, he had the 
daring to dream (the successful man sees visions and dreams dreams) of a great in- 
stitution in a great industrial center. Strict attention to the work in hand and fail- 
dealing have built up a bank unequalled outside the great cities. When in 1906 the 
Braddock National Bank moved into its palace at the foot of Library Street — a fire- 
proof, burglar-proof structure, with immense manganese vaults — people called the 
building "Kelly's Folly". At that time the total deposits of the combined institutions, 
the Braddock National Bank and the Bessemer Trust Co., were about three million dol- 
lars, an amount then considered as enormous. "They" said, "That ends it! 
You can never get the laboring man and the foreigner to come into a place like this 
to deposit or to borrow money. He will be frightened away by its very splendor." 
Again "they" wondered — why build a one-story bank — even if the one story is forty 
feet to the skylight? Why not use the ground flour for the bank and have four or 
five stories above to rent either as offices or apartments? The fact that this bank's 
architecture has been studied and copied widely by banks in other cities, and the 
further fact that deposits and number of depositors have more than trebled in the 
last ten years, is the answer to such conundrums. 

While in all these and in many other innovations, the directorate of the bank 
has loyally approved and seconded every advance step, yet the directors themselves 
are the first to acknowledge and give credit to Mr. Kelly for taking the initiative in 
every thing that makes for advancement. 

Mr. Geo. A. Todd, the cashier of the bank, has been Mr. Kelly's loyal assistant in 
all matters pertaining to growth and development. Starting as collection clerk in 
1887, he has held various positions through promotion. — book-keeper, teller, assistant 
cashier, cashier, — and is now, though still a voung man, regarded as a substantial part 
of "Kelly's Bank. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 213 

The bank building, the erection of which occupied two years, is a 
magnificent edifice of Grecian architecture, conspicuous among the most 
handsome bank buildings in the world. It is 60 feet wide and 132 feet 
deep, with a ceiling 40 feet in height. But no description of it can con- 
vey an adequate conception of its beauty and its grandeur. It must be 
seen to be fully appreciated, and as it is one of the principal objects of in- 
terest in Braddock, it is beheld with admiration by thousands of visitors 
every year. 

FIRST NATIONAL BANK, BRADDOCK, PA. 
The First National Bank of Braddock, the oldest National bank in 
the Borough, began business under a charter issued by the United States 
Government October 4th, 1882; the bank was opened for business on the 
tenth day of November, 1882, and the personnel of the bank was as 
follows : 

Philander C. Knox, President, Wm. H. Watt, Cashier, 

and the following were directors : 

Philander C. Knox, Robert Arthurs, D. Leet Wilson, 

Jessie H. Lippincott, Ralph Bagaley, Mort. C. Miller, 

L. Halsey Williams. 
The bank was first located at 906 Braddock Avenue and about six 
months later moved to the corner of Tenth Street and Braddock Avenue. 
This building was purchased by the bank, and occupied until April 1st, 
1889, when it removed to the Masonic Building, corner Library Street and 
Braddock Avenue. This building was occupied until 1904, when the pres- 
ent Braznell Building was finished, and the First National Bank of Brad- 
dock and the Braddock Trust Company took possession of the room in 
which the First National Bank is at present located. The capital stock at 
the beginning was $50,000, which about two years later was increased to 
$75,000, and still later, to $100,000, the present capitalization. The sur- 
plus fund which has accumulated from the earnings, and has been left af- 
ter the payment of dividends during the entire existence of the bank, 
amounts to $100,000.00, and the undivided profits to $75,000.00. The de- 
posits since the organization were as follows: 

At the end of the first ten years $205,000.00 

At the end of the first twenty years 560,000.00 

At the end of the first thirty years 1,235,000.00 

At the present time over.... 2,000,000.00 

and the total resources are over two and one-half million dollars. 



214 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

The Hon. Philander C. Knox, the junior United States Senator from 
Pennsylvania, and former Secretary of State under President Taft's Ad- 
ministration, was the first Pi-esident of this bank. The late W. H. Watt, 
the father of Geo. C. Watt, the present executive officer, was the first 
cashier, and afterwards became president. Mr. James A. Russell, who 
is now the chairman of the board, was president from the time of the 





HON. P. C. KNOX. 



H. C. SHALLENBERGER. 



death of Mr. W. H. Watt until the annual meeting in January, 1917, at 
which time he relinquished the office in favor of Mr. Geo. C. Watt. Mr. 
Watt has been connected continuously with the bank for the past twenty- 
seven years. 

Mr. F. G. Bishoff, vice president, has been connected with the di- 
rectorate of the bank for the past twenty years, and Mr. E. C. Striebich, 
the cashier, has been with the institution for the same length of time. 
Mr. Striebich started as messenger boy and worked his way up to his 
present position. 

The present board of directors, all local business men of the high- 
est type, and men known for their ability in a business way, are Jas. A. 
Russell, Geo. C. Watt, F. G. Bishoff. Leo A. Katz and Harry W. Benn. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



215 



BRADDOCK TRUST COMPANY, BRADDOCK, PA. 

The Braddock Trust Company was organized in January, 1901, and 
began business the following May. The capital was $125,000.00. It was 
originally called the Peoples Trust Company, but later changed to the Brad- 
dock Trust Company. 

Mr. Eli R. Dowler was elected the first president and served until 




the time of his death, which occurred while he was on a visit to Florida in 
February, 1912. Mr. Dowler was one of the best known and most highly 
respected citizens of Braddock. He was engaged in the lumber business 
here for many years. Being a keen business man, he was well fitted for 
the responsible position to which he was elected. 



216 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

Mr. George C. Watt' 11 was elected president to succeed Mr. E. R. 
Dowler. 

Mr. George Nash was elected as vice president and H. M. Scott as 
secretary and treasurer, and J. M. Clifford, assistant treasurer. 

The Trust Company was located in what was formerly the Masonic 
building at the corner of Braddock Avenue and Library Street, but which 
is now owned and occupied by the Famous Department Stores. The bank- 
ing room being small, it became necessary in a short time to look for a 
larger one, hence they moved to the Braznell building, just across Library 
Street. They continued in business in that place until May, 1907, when 
they purchased the Union National Bank and moved to the present loca- 
tion at No. 816 Braddock Avenue, Braddock, Pa. 

The Braddock Trust Company took over the Citizens Bank of Brad- 
dock in April. 1905. 

The deposits on Jan. 1st, 1911 amounted to $720,000.00 and in- 
creased to $1,166,000.00 January 1st, 1917. The total resources January 
1st, 1917 were $1,400,000.00. 

In addition to doing a regular banking business, the Braddock 
Trust Company has well equipped real estate and trust departments, which 
are under the management of Mr. W. S. Heath, real estate and trust officer. 

This was the first bank in Braddock to take up the trust work, act- 
ing as executor, administrator, guardian, trustee, etc., of estates. This 
did away with the old and unsatisfactory method of having inexperienced 
persons handling this very important work, thus saving large sums of 
money which might otherwise have been lost. 

The present officers of the Braddock Trust Company are: 

President — George C. Watt. 

Vice presidents — Harry W. Benn, George Nash and A. J. Spigel- 
mire. 

Secretary and treasurer — E. C. Striebich. 

Real estate and trust officer — W. S. Heath. 

The present directors are : H. W. Benn, F. G. Bishoff , L. A. Katz, 



(1) Mr. Geo. C. Watt was elected cashier of the First National Bark 
in 1897, being at that time one of the youngest men in the United Status to 
hold such a position. On the death of his father, Mr. W. H. Watt, in August, 1903, Mr. 
Geo. C. Watt was made the executive officer of the bank, which position he has held 
continuously since. The growth of the bank and of the Braddock Trust Co., which 
is under the same management, during the last fifteen years is the evidence of Mr. 
Watt's ability as a financier and executive. That Mr. Watt is recognized by the bank- 
ing fraternity as a man of unusual executive force is shown by the fact that he has 
been called upon to serve a term as president of Group Eight (Pittsburgh Division) of 
the American Bankers' Association. — (Ed.) 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 217 

J. J. Keller, W. A. Kulp, Louis Lorch, Jr., M. J. McBride, Geo. Nash, Jas. 
A. Russell and A. J. Spigelmire. 

STATE BANK OF BRADDOCK, PA. 

The State Bank of Braddock, Pa. received its charter July 1st, 1897, 
and opened for business on July 17th, 1897. 

Mr. R. M. Holland was elected the first president and served in 
that capacity until the time of his death. 

Mr. C. A. Stokes, the well known and highly respected real estate 
and insurance agent of Braddock, was the first vice president, and later 
was made president at the time of the death of Mr. Holland. 

Mr. H. C. Shallenberger, Sr., was elected the first cashier and later 
succeeded Mr. Stokes as president, in which office he has remained to the 
present time. Mr. Shallenberger is one of the oldest and best known resi- 
dents of Braddock. He was always interested in the things that tend to 
make a better community. He served six years as Burgess. 

The bank is located at No. 801 Braddock Avenue. This location 
was one of the old land marks of Braddock. It was known to many of the 
older residents as the little Octagon House, and was built by Mr. Parker. 
Mr. Parker was one of the first settlers of old Braddock's Field. 

The bank has a capital of $50,000.00 and a surplus and undivided 
profits of $30,000.00. 

The deposits at the end of the first year amounted to $102,119.67, 
increased in ten years to $318,550.00 and continued growing until today, 
when they have a total of $700,000.00. 

The present officers are: 

President — H. C. Shallenberger, Si'. 

Vice president — H. M. Glenn. 

Cashier — C. L. Masters. 

Directors — P. D. Remington, Geo. L. House, H. M. Glenn, W. R. 
Magill, Geo. Weil, H. J. Learn and H. C. Shallenberger, Sr. 

THE UNION NATIONAL BANK. 

The Union National Bank began business June 1st, 1903. The 
bank was located at No. 737 Braddock Avenue. They continued in busi- 
ness there until their new building at No. 816 Braddock Avenue was com- 
pleted. Mr. Jas. H. McCrady, president of the McCrady Bros. Co., was 
elected president, Mr. Chas. Zugsmith, Jr., vice president and Mr. A. A. 
McKinney, cashier. 



218 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

They had a paid up capital of $102,500 and increased same to 
$200,000. 

Mr. Geo. Hogg succeeded Mr. Zugsmith as vice president. 

Directors: J. H. McCrady, Chas. Zugsmith, Jr., M. J. McBride, A. 
L. Sailor, W. M. Holmes, Jos. Wolf, John K. Skelley, Geo. Hogg, Emanuel 
Weiler, J. M. Horner and L. A. Katz. 

The bank was taken over by the Braddock Trust Company in 1907. 

THE CITIZENS BANK OF BRADDOCK, PA. 

The Citizens Bank of Braddock was organized June 5th, 1903, with 
A. S. Braznell, J. M. Clifford, C. W. Braznell. J. J. Keller and F. S. Ben- 
nett constituting the stockholders. 

Mr. A. S. Braznell was elected president, Mr. J. M. Clifford, vice 
president, H. G. Getzel, cashier, and J. M. Clifford, Jr., assistant cashier. 

Mr. F. S. Bennett, attorney, was elected as solicitor. 

The following directors were elected : A. S. Braznell, J. M. Clifford, 
J. J. Keller and F. S. Bennett. 

The bank was located at No. 721 Braddock Avenue and continued 
in business there until May, 1904, when they moved to the Masonic build- 
ing. They stayed there until April, 1905, when the Braddock Trust Co. 
took over all the assets and assumed all the liabilities of the bank. 

A resolution was passed August 1st, 1905, by a unanimous vote of 
the stockholders, wherein it was decided the institution would go into liqui- 
dation. 







«r .v. 





THE CARNEGIE FREE LIBRARY. 

THE OLDEST CARNEGIE LIBRARY IN AMERICA. 

BY GEO. H. LAMB. 

In the early eighties, Mr. Andrew Carnegie began his wonderful 
career of library exploitation by building at Braddoek, Pa., the first of the 
Carnegie libraries in this country. The dominant idea at that time was 
the equipping of a library for the Carnegie employees and their families ; 
and it was referred to in the newspapers of the period as the Edgar 
Thomson Works library. 

The Braddoek library began the circulation of books in March, 1889, 
with 2,153 volumes on its shelves, and had a circulation during that month 
of 998. The total circulation for the balance of the year 1889 was 18,738. 
There were added during that year after the opening, 1,981 volumes, thus 
starting the year 1890 with 4,134 books. 

The library was formally dedicated, and turned over to the com- 
munity at a public meeting, attended by more than 2,000 people, held in 
Leighton's rink (the auditorium was not built until 1893) on the evening 
of Saturday, March 30, 1889. 

On that occasion, Mr. Carnegie made an address of considerable 
length, a few brief quotations from which are here given. The address 
in full was published in pamphlet form, and is entitled, "An Address 
given at the Dedication of the Edgar Thomson Works Library." Mr. 
Carnegie said : — "I hand this library over to you and your successors 
forever. I have no desire to accumulate more money. We will never be 
the first to reduce labor. We never have been. The fatal enemy of labor 
is labor, not capital. I may be ranging the earth, but my heart must ever 
be directed to the home of my youth, and my thoughts to the prosperity of 
those industries in which I have not been afraid to invest, and am not now 
afraid to let my capital remain." 

He added further: — "I trust you will not forget the importance of 
amusements. I hope the room upstaii's is to be provided with all the means 
possible for the playing of a game of billiards and so forth, and for gym- 
nastic exercises. Life must not be taken too seriously. We must have our 
hours for laughter and frolic. It is a great mistake to think a man who 
works all the time wins in the race. Have your amusements. Learn to 
play a good game of whist, a good game of draughts, or a good game of 
billiards. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 221 

"I venture to predict that when generation after generation shall 
have passed away, this Library will remain and be recognized as a center 
of light and leading; a never failing spring of all good influences; and 
perhaps it may serve to remind those generations that are to come, that 
the duties of capital towards labor, even in this age, are not altogether 
forgotten. 

"Fellow workmen, I now hand over the Library to you and your 
successors forever." 

Mr. Samuel Sweet Green, in his "Public Library Movement", on 
page 102 says: "In 1881 Mr. Carnegie began his great work of founding 
and aiding libraries by announcing in the spring of that year his purpose 
of establishing a free library at Braddock for the benefit of his workmen". 
Several years were consumed in promoting plans and constructing the 
building, so that it was not until late in 1888 that everything was ready 
to be turned over to the management of a Library Board. On December 

14, 1888, the Board was organized with the following named gentlemen : 
Mr. Jas. Gayley, President; Mr. Wra. J. Vance, Vice President; Mr. J. A. 
Lapsley, Secretary; Mr. W. R. Balsinger, Treasurer; Messrs. Watt Ed- 
wards, Wm. A. McDevitt, Thos. McDonald, Wm. M. C. Jones, and Profs. 
Samuel Hamilton, Edwin Twitmyer, and C. D. Coffey. Prof. E. Twit- 
myer, on leaving Braddock, was succeeded, July 2, 1889, by Mr. W. E. 
Morrow. On August 4, 1890, Mr. J. A. Lapsley resigned and Mr. W. L. 
Lapsley was chosen to fill the vacancy. Mr. B. H. Taylor succeeded Mr. 
Thos. McDonald, June ?», 1890, and Mr. W. W. McCleery succeeded Mr. W. 
R. Balsinger, December 9, of the same year. Mr. Wm. M. C. Jones re- 
signed July 7, 1891. His place was left vacant until March 26, 1892, when 
Mr. Thos. Addenbrook was appointed to fill the vacancy. Mr. Adden- 
brook is still on the Board, after a period of continuous service of more 
than twenty-five years, a longer term than that of any other member up 
to the present time. 

March 31, 1894, Mr. W. S. Brown and Mr. D. F. Collingwood were 
appointed to places left vacant by the resignations of Mr. McDevitt and 
Prof. Coffey, and A. B. Stevenson, Esq., succeeded Mr. Watt Edwards, 
March 5, 1895. On April 2, 1895, Mr. E. H. Anderson, the retiring li- 
brarian, accepted a position on the Board of Trustees. On December 

15, 1897, W. S. Dalzell, Esq., was chosen to fill the vacancy that had ex- 
isted since the resignation of Mr. W. L. Lapsley, July 12, of that year. 

On May 19, 1899, the Board of Trustees was reorganized with the 
following members : Mr. Thos. Addenbrook, Mr. Chas. A. Anderson, Mr. 



222 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

W. S. Brown, Col. Thos. Cosgrove, W. S. Dalzell, Esq., Mr. Fred W. 
Edwards. Mr. Jas. Gayley, L. F. Holtzman, Esq., Mr. D. G. Kerr, Mr. Jas. 
H. McCrady, Mr. Thos. Morrison, Mr. W. E. Morrow, Dr. A. W. Schooley, 
Mr. C. M. Schwab, Edward J. Smail, Esq., A. B. Stevenson, Esq., Maj. R. 
E. Stewart. Mr. Wm. J. Vance. 

Mr. Jas. Gayley, who served the Board of Trustees as its president 
from its organization in 1888, having moved away from Braddock, re- 
signed the presidency and membership on the Board, January 14, 1902. 
Mr. Thos. Morrison was elected president and Mr. Jas. E. Mitchell was 
chosen to membership on the Board. A little later the resignations of Mr. 
Schwab and Mr. Morrow were accepted and Mr. Chas. E. Dinkey and 
Mr. G. E. F. Gray were appointed to the vacancies. In 1906, Mr. John F. 
Lewis became a Trustee in the place of Mr. Kerr, resigned. Mr. Morri- 
son retired from the presidency of the Board in April, 1907, but continued 
as one of its members. At the same time Messrs. Mitchell, Anderson and 
Dalzell resigned, and Messrs. P. A. K. Black, F. F. Slick, and A. E. Mac- 
coun were elected in their respective places. Mr. Chas. E. Dinkey was 
then chosen as president of the Board, which position he has held con- 
tinuously since. 

The year 1910-1911 witnessed three changes in the personnel of 
the Board. Maj. R. E. Stewart, who had been a member of the Board since 
1899, died March 30, 1910. Mr. W. J. Vance, who had served on the 
Board from its inception in 1888, a continuous term of twenty-two years, 
moved to Missouri, and A. B. Stevenson, Esq. also left Braddock, resigning 
after a continuous service of twelve years. Messrs. Reuben Abbiss, H. W. 
Benn, and Leo A. Katz were appointed to the vacancies thus created. In 
1912, on April 30, occurred the death of Mr. Fred. W. Edwards, after 
thirteen years of service as Trustee. Mr. C. A. Stokes took his place on the 
Board. March 2, 1913, death claimed Col. Cosgrove, a member of the 
Board since 1899. Mr. F. A. Power succeeded him. 

In the twenty-eight years of active library work there have been six 
librarians, and the work has twice been directed for short periods by the 
first assistant librarian. The first librarian was Miss Rose Phillips. She 
was succeeded in July, 1890 by Mrs. Anna M. Hay, who continued in 
charge until November, 1891. The work of the library was then directed 
by Miss A. W. Hezlep, assistant librarian, until May, 1892, when Mr. 
Edwin H. Anderson took up the work and continued it until lie was called 
to organize the Pittsburgh library in 1895. Mr. Anderson was succeeded 
by Miss Helen Sperry, who resigned to organize the Homestead library in 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 223 

1898. The Carnegie Club was first opened in 1893, and while occupying 
a part of the library building, and under the same Board of Trustees, it 
had a separate management, and was a distinct institution. On January 
1, 1898, the duties of Chief Librarian and Superintendent of Club were 
merged into one office, and the late Mr. Walter Crane was appointed as 
head of the combined institution. Mr. Crane continued in this position 
until his death, which occurred suddenly October 19, 1902. The work 
was then continued under the direction of assistant librarian, Mr. Chas. 
L. Cummings, until March 1, 1903, when Mr. Geo. H. Lamb assumed the 
duties of Librarian and Superintendent of the Carnegie Club, which po- 
sition he has held continuously since. 

The Braddock library has three distinct branches in as many sur- 
rounding towns, Wilkinsburg, Turtle Creek, and Monongahela, and a sta- 
tion at Elizabeth, Pa. These several municipalities provide rooms for the 
branches and pay the salaries of the local librarians, the main library sup- 
plying the books and doing the work of cataloging. The Wilkinsburg 
branch was opened September 10, 1899; Turtle Creek branch, April Hi, 
1900 ; and Monongahela branch, May 7, 1902. 

The Braddock library was one of the earliest to come into active 
co-operation with the schools, and for years has done and is still doing a 
vast amount of such work. The work of this library in this field has been 
somewhat different from that of most libraries, in that it began by placing 
the most elemenatry reading books obtainable in the hands of the young- 
est classes that could use them, whereas most libraries introduce the work 
first into the ujjper grades, reaching the little people after some years of 
the advanced work, if at all. This library pursues this school work along 
three distinct lines. First, the library supplies supplementary reading 
matter in sets of thirty copies of a classic, for class use. In later years the 
library has encouraged the schools to provide many such readers for them- 
selves, thus relieving the library of a part of this expense. Second, it pro- 
vides books in cases, well adapted to the various grades, 45 books to the 
case. These are placed in the school room at the beginning of the school 
year, the teacher acting as assistant librarian, are given out to the 
children weekly to be taken home, read, and returned to the school. The 
books remain in the school as long as desired, or until the close of the 
term. Third, the library has for some years given systematic class in- 
struction to the High school pupils in the content and use of the library. 
This instruction comprises a series of eight or ten lessons, outlined by 
the library and printed in pamphlet form. The class comes to the li- 



224 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

brary for this instruction, doing regularly assigned laboratory work in 
research, and receiving credit for the same as part of the regular course 
in English. 

The period of time covered by the Braddock library has witnessed 
nearly all there is of Public Library history. The first tax-supported free 
public library was founded in the town of Peterboro, Mass., in 1833, fol- 
lowed thirteen years later by the town of Orange, Mass., and four years 
after that by the town of Wayland. The purpose and aim of all of these 
was distinctly didactic. The members and patrons were to be instructed 
in useful knowledge, and those in charge of the libraries were to select 
the books with that end in view. The effect of this method was to limit the 
use of the library to persons of studious habits, or to those who had some 
definite purpose to serve. A library that should provide amusement and 
recreation for its patrons as well as instruction was not conceived until a 
later date, was first propounded in Boston in 1851, and was not put to the 
practical test until some years later. This is the type of the free public 
library as it is known to-day. 

When the foundations of the Braddock library were laid in 1887, 
there were only 2,981 libraries in this country, and of these only 649 were 
free and tax-supported. Of the whole number 440 had between 5,000 and 
10,000 volumes each; 353 had from 10,000 to 50,000, while only 47 li- 
raries in the entire country had more than 50,000 volumes. Braddock li- 
brary now has nearly 70,000 volumes, being larger now than any library in 
the entire United States was when it was organized, with the exception of 
less than a score. 

Another matter that seems strange to people of to-day is that not 
only were there no free libraries in Pennsylvania when Braddock library 
was built, but there was no statute law even permitting a free library to 
be supported by taxation. The first enactment legalizing such a tax levy 
was passed in 1887, and applied only to cities. The levy then was per- 
missible only for maintenance of an existing library, but not for erecting 
a library building. It was not until 1895, six years after the Braddock 
library began circulating books, that the universal library law was en- 
acted making it legal for a borough or school district to build, equip, and 
maintain a free public library at the expense of the tax payers. At that, 
Pennsylvania was not far behind most other states, for in 1887 it was one 
of twenty that had library laws of any kind ; and its law of 1895 was the 
most liberal and the most far-reaching of any that had been enacted in 
any state up to that time. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 225 

The period covered by this library's history has witnessed many 
other changes that have been revolutionary in this field. The library 
school, the trained librarian, uniform systems of classification and rec- 
ord keeping, library indexing, open shelves, children's libraries and child- 
ren's librarians, State free library commissions, State Library Associa- 
tions, all these have had their origin and development within this less 
than a third of a century. While the American Library Association, the 
one force that has been the most potent instrument of all for the develop- 
ment and unification of library work had its origin as late as 1876, and 
has done all of its important work within the time limit named. It is 
thus seen that the Braddock library has been a participant in nearly all 
of library history in this country, and has been a pioneer blazing the way, 
and going forward without chart or compass in many of its activities. 

It has often been remarked that the tendency of library reading is to 
lead the patron to a better and better grade of literature. Not all of fic- 
tion is trifling, and not all of classed literature is heavy or really worth 
while. But the dividing line is usually made between fiction and non- 
fiction. By this record, this library has repeated the history of others, in 
that the percentage of fiction has gradually been reduced from more than 
80 to less than 50. 

On April 29, 1914, the library held its silver jubilee celebration in 
honor of its twenty-fifth year of active work, and, as this is the "Oldest 
Carnegie Library in America", the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Car- 
negie Library Movement. 

Braddock has been the scene of many important gatherings and 
startling and stirring events, from the day of its christening in a baptism 
of fire on that weltering July 9, 1755, down through the gathering at the 
time of the Whiskey Insurrection, past the recruiting of troops at Camp 
Copeland in civil war times, and civic and industrial gatherings of later 
days, but Braddock as a community never entered more heartily or with 
greater unanimity into any single undertaking than in this twenty-fifth 
anniversary of the founding of the library. 

Previous to the day of the celebration, three triumphal arches had 
been erected, one at the foot of Library Street, and two on Braddock 
Avenue. These were beautifully decorated and illuminated. Every busi- 
ness house in the town was profusely decked with flags and bunting, while 
enlarged lithographs of Mr. Carnegie were to be seen everywhere. Pri- 
vate residences, especially those along the line of march of the parade, 
were also dressed in holidav attire. All business houses in Braddock and 



226 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

all the schools were closed during the afternoon, the town making of it a 
holiday. 

The celebration had three distinct features; first, the parade, sec- 
ond, the meeting in the auditorium, third, the banquet. 

A reviewing stand was erected in front of the library on which 
were seated Mr. Carnegie, the library Trustees and invited guests. Past 
this stand marched the immense parade consisting of the police and fire 
departments of the three boroughs, a bagpipe band, clans and orders, the 
officials of the three boroughs and the G. A. R. men in carriages, Sons of 
Veterans and Boys' Brigades, thousands of mill workers, and several 
thousand children from the public and parochial schools, with many bands 
and drum corps interspersed, all succeeded by a long line of beautifully 
decorated automobiles. 

Each of the school children carried a flag, a pennant, or a banner 
having a large lithograph of Mr. Carnegie as its dominating feature. As 
the schools passed the reviewing stand they were massed there and under 
the direction of Mr. Geo. S. Speidel, sang "America" and "Auld Lang 
Syne." The automobiles left the line of march after passing the review- 
ing stand and took a longer route than the marchers, rejoining them at the 
lower end of Braddock Avenue. After the parade was over all the bands, 
more than a hundred pieces, were massed and gave an open air concert 
for the thousands of people who were unable to gain admittance to the 
auditorium. 

While the audience was being seated in the Hall, Mr. Carnegie 
took his place on the platform where he met many of his friends of 
former years, the old time employes of the Edgar Thomson Steel Works. 
For it is to be remembered that not only was Braddock the recipient of 
the first Carnegie library in America, but the steel mills of Braddock were 
the first to bring fame and fortune to the great iron master and his co- 
partners. 

At this meeting, Mr. Chas. E. Dinkey, President of the Board of 
Trustees, presided. Prof. W. L. Mayer rendered musical numbers on the 
great organ. Addresses were made by Col. H. P. Bope, vice president of 
the Carnegie Steel Co., by Dr. John A. Brashear, the great scientist of 
Pittsburgh, and a life-long friend of Mr. Carnegie, by Mr. C. M. Schwab, the 
first President of the United States Steel Corporation, a former Braddock 
man, and at one time a member of the Board of Trustees of the library, by 
Dr. Samuel Hamilton, Superintendent of the Allegheny County Schools, 
and by Mr. Carnegie. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 227 

Mr. Carnegie's address was full of tenderness and breathed of his 
love for the scenes of his early successes and for the friends who were 
with him at that time. Much of his address contained reminiscences of his 
early friend, the late Capt. William R. Jones. He could not have touched 
on a theme that would please a Braddock audience more than by re- 
ferring to the great Captain. Although Captain Jones has been dead for 
more than a quarter of a century, to this day, a public speaker in Braddock 
is sure of at least one round of applause if he can under any pretext bring 
the Captain's name into his address. For Mr. Carnegie to relate anecdote 
and incident in the Captain's life was to carry his audience right with 
him back to that early day. 

"I don't know how every one thinks about the way I spend my 
money", continued Mr. Carnegie, "But I'm willing to put this library and 
similar institutions against any other form of benevolence. It's the best 
kind of philanthropy I can think of, and I'm willing to stand on that 
record. 

"This is a grand old world and it's always growing better, and all's 
well since it is growing better. And when I go for a trial for the things 
I've done on earth, I think I'll get a verdict of 'Not guilty', through my 
efforts to make earth a little better than I found it". 

On the reviewing stand, in response to a short address of welcome 
to the distinguished guest, made by Dr. F. K. Whitfield, burgess of Brad- 
dock, Mr. Carnegie said, "I want to say that being a citizen of Braddock 
is no mean asset. I am proud to be a man of Braddock, and in my travels 
through Europe and every other continent, Braddock has been my cry. 

"I am very sorry Mrs. Carnegie is not here to see this grand cele- 
bration. You know, like all other women, Mrs. Carnegie is awfully wise; 
and when I tell her of this honor she will say, 'Go on, now, Andy, you 
were excited and imagined these things.' But imagination can't describe 
this occasion, and I am glad to be among my fellow employees once again." 

The closing event of the Jubilee day was a banquet, held in the 
gymnasium, under the auspices of the Braddock Merchants' Association, 
working in conjunction with the library Board of Trustees. Two hun- 
dred and fifty guests were entertained at this banquet. Addresses were 
made by State Superintendent of Schools, N. C. Schaeffer, Col, H. P. Bope, 
Mr. C. M. Schwab, for Governor John K. Tener, Rev. Charles Wallace, 
Mr. Alvah C. Dinkey, President Carnegie Steel Company, Hon. Thos. L. 
Montgomery, State Librarian, and others, Mr. Geo. C. Watt acting as toast- 
master. 



228 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

Bulletin 25, 1915 (whole number 652) of the Bureau of Educa- 
tion, Washington, D. C, is devoted to a study of public, society and school 
libraries. The figures used are for the year 1913. From this bulletin 
it is learned that there are in the United States more than 18,000 such 
libraries, as compared with less than 3,000 in 1887, only 25 per cent of 
which were at that time "Free". Of these 18,000, 111 Public, 80 Society, 
and 90 School libraries have more than 50,000 volumes each. Braddock 
is 1 one of the 111 Public libraries thus designated. 

Of this list of 111 large libraries, Braddock library stands: — 

Sixty-fourth in number of volumes. 

Thirty-seventh in circulation. 

Seventeenth in juvenile circulation. 

Forty-second in percentage of population enrolled as borrowers. 

Sixty-ninth in cost of maintenance. 

Eighty-second in number of employees doing the work. 

The Carnegie Club is under the same management as the library 
and occupies a part of the building, but is a distinct institution. The Club 
represents one of the earliest efforts of a great industrial plant to provide 
healthful and sane amusement and recreation for its employees. It was 
first conceived as a co-operative organization for the procuring of house- 
hold supplies. The mercantile feature was soon abandoned and the Club 
became a place for social recreation and physical development exclusively. 
The library is entirely free to any one wishing to avail himself of its 
privileges. The Club is for its members only, and from these a member- 
ship fee is exacted, the charge being insufficient, however, to meet ex- 
penses were it not for outside help. 

The Carnegie Club is conducted somewhat on the plan of a Y. M. 
C. A., with a difference. It does no distinctly religious work. It admits 
ladies to membership, they being limited, however, to swimming pool and 
gymnasium privileges, and for fixed periods. At another point the Club 
differs radically from a Y. M. C. A., in that it demands no certificate of 
character or other recommendation as a prerequisite to membership, the 
management holding to the view that the fact of application for member- 
ship is the evidence of the individual's need of the Club's help. In this 
way a class of men is reached who would be scared away from an insti- 
tution where more rigid requirements are exacted. As a result the 
morale of the membership may be and doubtless is, somewhat lowered, but 
the assistance is rendered where the want is greatest. 

The Club maintains all the best means and equipment for indoor 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 229 

sports and games; such as gymnasium, bowling alleys, billiards, game 
rooms, swimming pool and baths, all of which are free to members, ex- 
cept that a small fee is charged for the use of the bowling alleys and bil- 
liard tables. 

First started as a Club for Carnegie employees exclusively, all re- 
strictions have long- since been removed, and any one wishing may now 
acquire membership regardless of residence or occupation. 

The librarian has, since 1898, been also Superintendent of the Club. 
He is aided by a Club Manager who devotes his entire time and energy to 
the Club, and by a Physical Director who gives his efforts to work in the 
gymnasium and swimming pool. The Manager has an assistant, and 
there is a lady director for the ladies' classes in the gymnasium and a 
lady attendant for the women and girls in the pool. As evidence of the 
stability and permanence of the work it may be stated that the present 
Club Manager, Mr. David Shelby, has been connected with the Club for 
ten years, Mr. F. J. Cartwright was Physical Director for sixteen years, 
succeeded four years ago by Mr. L. B. Cundiff, who is still in the work, 
while Mrs. Barbara Mosellin has been lady attendant in the swimming 
pool since it was first opened in 1893. 

The Library and Club have come to mean more than what these 
terms generally imply, and this institution is a real community center. 
The Braddock Merchants' Association with a salaried Secretary and Clerk, 
has headquarters, furnished free, in a room of the building. All kinds of 
assemblies and committees, such as the Braddock Medical Society, the 
Braddock Druggists' Association, the Jewelers' organization, the Aquatic 
Club, the Women's Club, and many other business and professional com- 
binations hold regular or periodical sessions in some of the committee 
rooms ; while the large auditorium is the community meeting place for all 
general assemblies. The hall is used, too, for amateur theatricals, lec- 
tures and concerts, whether for school, church, lodge, or other society. 

The Carnegie Round Table, an association of business and pro- 
fessional men, has for fourteen years held monthly meetings in the gym- 
nasium, from October to March, gathering for a 6:00 o'clock dinner fol- 
lowed by addresses, papers, and discussions on important topics of the 
day. 

The Matinee Bowlers, made up of business and professional men, 
meet on the Club Alleys every working day between 12:00 and 2:00. They 
have scarcely missed a day, except when the alleys were undergoing re- 
pair, for thirteen years. 



THE BRADDOCK GENERAL HOSPITAL. 

BY W. T. MORGAN, M. D. 

The first public suggestion for a hospital for Braddock was from 
the pen of a young newspaperman, Fred W. Oakley, then engaged in that 
capacity by the Braddock Daily News, of which the late Daniel J. Mc- 
Carthy was editor and publisher. That was about the year 1890. Later, to 
be exact, August 3rd, 1893, there appeared another article by the same 
writer anent the same subject. Still later, on December 11th of the same 
year, Mr. Oakley, in a column article made a special plea in behalf of a 
hospital for Braddock, following up the subject the next day in another 
article of equal length, suggesting that a hospital be built in the coming 
year, and that in view of Mr. Carnegie's liberality toward Churches, an 
appeal to him in behalf of a hospital might result in generous financial help. 

That there were no immediate results was not surprising, for, at that 
time, as at a later date, there were not a few who were disposed to look 
upon such a possibility as rather of the nature of a fanciful dream, and 
I know, from personal knowledge, that even Editor McCarthy was far 
from enthusiastic on the subject. 

Whether it was a coincidence, or a sequence to the original sug- 
gestion, is a matter of small moment, but the fact remains that the hos- 
pital movement had its inception on Saturday, October 6th, 1894, when 
according to the Braddock Daily News, a gentleman, described as "a He- 
brew merchant of Braddock" expressed himself to a representative of that 
paper, as being so much in favor of a hospital for Braddock, that he ten- 
dered a subscription of $200 for the cause, and promised an additional 
twenty-five dollars annually for maintenance purposes, the announcement 
being made in the Daily News of October 8th, 1894. 

Subject to the wishes of the gentleman, his name was withheld, and 
the subscription credited as "anonymous". In time, of course, the owner 
of this particular "Anonymous" name leaked out, and the original sub- 
scriber to the hospital fund proved to be Mr. Jacob Katz the tailor. The 
gentleman died in Philadelphia several years later. 

Following the lead of his Hebrew brother, Mr. Louis Amshall im- 
mediately came forward with a subscription of like amount. 

The next day, the day after, and, in fact, almost daily until October 
16th, 1894, when the ladies of the town took hold, new names were added 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 231 

to the list of original subscribers to the hospital fund until the following 
names were to be found on the honor roll: 

Jacob Katz $200.00, Louis Amshall $200.00, S. T. Fiero $5.00, J. K. 
Fisher $50.00, H. B. Goldberg $100.00, Louis Schmidt $25.00, P. J. Hafner 
$25.00, David Goldrath $25.00, Employees of Jacob Katz $25.00, J. B. 
Corey $100.00, Jacob Friedman $25.00, S. Maltinsky $25.00, Jacob Litvitz 
$25.00. 

The spantaneous generosity of our Hebrew citizens towards the hos- 
pital project is strikingly illustrated by a glance at the foregoing list of 
familiar names, and it is pleasing to record that our friends of that na- 
tionality have never ceased their interest or liberal financial assistance to 
the institution. 

On October 16, 1894, we read in the Braddock Daily News that 
"The good women of Braddock have come to regard the movement to build 
a hospital for Braddock as one well worthy of their attention and support, 
and a meeting was held last evening at the home of Mrs. Thomas James, of 
Parker Avenue, for the purpose of furthering the object, at which the fol- 
lowing ladies were present : — 

Mrs. Thomas James, Mrs. N. H. Treese, Mrs. H. Scritchfield, Mrs. 
Jacob Katz, Mrs. David Goldrath, Mrs. Thomas Cosgrove, Mrs. A. H. White, 
Mrs. Richard Stevens, Mrs. W. E. Morrow, Mrs. Emma Zimmerman, Mrs. 
R. A. Clay, Mrs. D. F. Collingwood, Mrs. Amos Laughner, Mrs. A. S. 
Braznell, Mrs. M. E. Kinsey, Mrs. P. S. Todd, Mrs. W. R. Edwards, Mrs. 
A. P. Maginni, Mrs. John Laux and Mrs. A. W. Schooley. 

At this meeting an organization was perfected and the following of- 
ficers elected: 

President, Mrs. Thomas James; Vice President, Mrs. H. Scritch- 
field; Secretary, Mrs. R. A. Clay; Treasurer, Mrs. A. P. Maginni. 

At about this time the Homestead News, commenting editorially 
upon the movement had this to say : 

"Our neighboring town Braddock is going ahead in a vigorous man- 
ner with its hospital enterprise. Through the influence of the Braddock 
Daily News one thousand dollars have already been subscribed and now 
the ladies of the town are taking hold." 

A second meeting of the ladies was called at the home ot Mrs. Thomas 
James for October 22nd, 1894. 

In order to enlist the interest of as many as possible, wide publicity 
of the meeting was made, and on Sunday, the day preceding the meeting, 
announcement of the same was made in every church, with the result that 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 233 

about forty were present at the meeting, representing, practically, every 
religious body of Braddock. 

Mrs. James, who was the previously elected president, realizing, as 
she stated that to carry on the work successfully would require more time 
than she had at her command, resigned from that office, and Mrs. W. L. 
Lapsley was elected to fill the vacancy. 

Ways and means for raising money were thoroughly discussed, re- 
sulting in a decision to hold a week of fair and bazaar, designating a par- 
ticular night for each denomination, except in the case of the smaller 
churches, in which instance two or more would combine for a particular 
night, and the following ladies were appointed a general soliciting com- 
mittee to secure contributions suitable for the occasion and the cause. 

Mesdames: Allen Kirkpatrick, James Gayley, C. W. Woods, C. M. 
Schwab, J. B. Corey, J. N. Shallenberger, J. M. McCrady, S. D. Hamilton, 
C. A. Stokes, George Larimer, W. J. McBeth, Andrew Kramer, A. J. 
Spigelmire, D. F. Melville, Ed. B. White. A. S. Brubaker, A. J. Boyle, P. S. 
Todd, J. L. Campbell, W. S. Brown, W. H. Speer, Josiah Crosby, A. S. 
Braznell, Daniel Oskin, Tilgman Kulp. Ada Lucas, C. C. Fawcett, W. S. 
Stewart, G. E. Bair, Chris Hager, C. H. Clifford, B. F. Price, W. T. Moi% 
gan, S. J. Shaw, Eli Boyd, W.S. Packer, Sr., J. R. King, J. H. Rankin, J. W. 
Miles, 0. B. Milligan, 0. H. Phillips, W. G. Reagle, H. M. Bowden. 

Merchants and others, both in and outside of Braddock, were most 
generous in their contributions either in money or supplies for the bazaar 
and fair, each appearing to vie with another in trying to see which could 
help the most. 

The Turner hall was secured for the occasion and, on Tuesday, 
November 20th, 1894 the bazaar and fair, in charge of over one hundred 
of Braddock's fairest daughters, opened in a blaze of glory, amid a small 
army of most enthusiastic women, and closed on the Saturady night fol- 
lowing, in a shower of gold upon a tired but very grateful body of workers. 

The militant and determined spirit of the ladies in charge was 
emphatically illustrated by a little experience they had on Monday, the 
day preceding the opening of the bazaar. Notwithstanding a contract 
had been signed, sealed and delivered, giving the ladies the right of pos- 
sesion of the hall from Monday morning until twelve o'clock on the follow- 
ing Saturday night, a mixup had occurred by the letting of the same for 
Monday night to some Society for the purpose of a dance, and when the 
committee of ladies in charge of setting up booths, tables, etc., arrived 
at 6:30 o'clock Monday morning prepared to perform their part of the 




M\ z 



The Unwritten History of Braddock*s Field. 235 

work, they were confronted with the surprising information that the hall 
had been rented to other parties for that particular day and night, and that 
they would not be allowed to enter and take possession at that time. The 
fact that they did enter and take possession, and that the bazaar and fair 
opened on schedule time, is only one more illustration of the truth of that 
old adage that "When a woman wills, she will, you can depend on it". 

After deducting a little matter of $123.64 for expenses, thirty-four 
hundred and nine dollars and seventy-four cents ($3,409.74) was the net 
total of receipts for the week's work. 

This amount, together with $240.00 collected by the late A. B. 
Stevenson, Esq., a donation of $100.00 from the Second Avenue Traction 
Company, and the $1,000.00 previously subscribed, gave the prospects for 
a hospital a very promising outlook. 

Interest in the hospital project still continued at high tide for some 
time. The proceeds from lectures, concerts and theatrical performances 
were freely donated, and several merchants contributed a portion of the 
profit from sales made on one or more particular days. Many of those 
ladies, however, who rode upon the highest crest of the first wave of hos- 
pital enthusiasm were, apparently, well satisfied to relegate all further ac- 
tive interest in the project to others, and as time passed on, fewer and 
fewer were found to take that active interest in the affair so necessary to 
its fulfillment, so that, at the end of a few years, but a small company of 
faithful ones remained active of that galaxy of workers which started out 
so valiantly to give to the physical sufferers of Braddock and vicinity the 
haven of refuge it was sincerely felt they so much needed. 

In the meantime something over six thousand dollars had been gar- 
nered for the cause which, through the courtesy of friends of the project 
was placed in the care of the Carnegie Steel Company where, at a good 
rate of interest, it continued to grow in amount until April 4th, 1905, when 
the auspicious time had arrived that it could be put into active use for the 
purpose for which it was solicited. 

Diminished in numbers but undaunted in spirit the remaining hand- 
ful of faithful women, through one source or another, gathered into their 
treasury a good many extra dollars, some of which was used in the year 
1897 for the very laudable purpose of paying for the services of three 
professional nurses who, at the instance of the Braddock Relief Associa- 
tion were engaged to care for a number of sick of the town. 

While thoroughly appreciative of the fact that the few thousand 
dollars already in hand were but a drop in the bucket, as it were, of the 




\AiA m*»i 



us nit m$ 

Li IM K IM- 




The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 237 

amount necessary to accomplish the purpose for which they set out, op- 
timism with a big "0" was the keynote of the few remaining workers and, 
as an evidence of their implicit confidence in the final success of their ef- 
forts, application for a charter for the organization was made and, through 
the efforts and courtesy of the late R. E. Stewart, Esq., who, always gener- 
ously donated his professional services in all business connected with the 
hospital project, one was granted bearing the date of December 21st, 1898, 
having attached thereto the following named ladies as applicants : 

Florence M. Bell, Gertrude R. Corothers, Mary K. Collingwood, El- 
mira Scritchfield, Elizabeth James, Mary M. Schooley, Virginia Riston, 
Jennie Scott Lapsley, Kate M. Treese, Mary J. Holtzman, Margaret Cramer, 
Susan C. Kulp, Margaret M. Scott, Caroline M. Stewart, Kate Mcllfred. 

Notwithstanding that the charter plainly stated that "Any person 
willing to assist in the work of the association, and contributing such sums 
as fixed by the by-laws, may become members of the association", a pop- 
ular but erroneous impression prevailed that, inasmuch as application for 
the charter was made exclusively by women, only those of the gentler sex 
were entitled to membership in that body, with the result that women 
alone continued to make up the membership of the association. 

In January 1899 the first election held under the new charter re- 
sulted in the selection of the following officers: President, Mrs. Corothers; 
First Vice President, Mrs. Scritchfield ; Second Vice President, Mrs. Riston ; 
Recording Secretary, Mrs. Kulp; Financial Secretary, Mrs. Schooley; Cor- 
responding Secretary, Mrs. Bell ; Treasurer, Mrs. James. 

Interest in the hospital, of course, continued but without any pyro- 
technical display and the quiet effectual efforts of that small body of faith- 
ful women was fittingly recognized when in the year 1903 the Braddock 
Board of Commerce elected to take a hand in the movement. In the fall 
of that year a street fair and carnival was held under its auspices for the 
benefit of the hospital fund, which netted in the neighborhood of $1,500, 
the amount being held in the treasury of the Board of Commerce, it being 
the intention of the board to increase that amount before placing it in the 
hospital fund. 

Just at this time, a new element was injected into the enterprise. 
The physicians of Braddock realizing, perhaps, more than any others, the 
crying need for a haven of refuge for the sick and wounded of this com- 
munity, decided to appeal through their Medical Society to both the Brad- 
dock Hospital Association and the Board of Commerce and, if possible, in- 
duce both bodies to unite their forces at once, and their funds, for the 



238 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

benefit of the cause and. in this way accentuate the ultimate object of both 
parties, and a committee of the following members of the Medical Society, 
Drs. H. F. Fisher, L. G. Rubenstein and W. T. Morgan, was appointed by 
the President, Dr. A. W. Schooley, for that purpose. 

No difficulty was experienced in bringing both bodies to a mutual 
agreement. The ladies who, financially, had the upper hand, were per- 
fectly willing to throw their lot and interest into the common fund on con- 
dition that the Board of Commerce raise an amount equal to that in the 
hands of the Hospital Association which, at that time was something over 
$11,000. The Board of Commerce, recognizing the justness of the proposi- 
tion, immediately set about to fulfill their part of the agreement, and a 
committee of that body, by a solicitation among the business and profes- 
sional men throughout the district, was soon able to report their readiness 
and ability to perform their part of the proposition, the committee of the 
Board having in hands an amount, not only equal to that possessed by the 
ladies, but an additional $10,000 which had been contributed to the cause 
by W. E. Corey, the president of the United States Steel Corporation. 

A hospital for Braddock was now assured. A committee represent- 
ing the Board of Commerce, the Braddock Hospital Association and the 
Braddock Medical Society was elected to select a site. A number of lo- 
cations were considered and inspected. After a careful survey of each, 
the Mills homestead was decided upon as the most suitable. 

The Mills homestead was one of the substantial landmarks of this 
region, beautifully situated on the top of an eminence at the corner of 
Fifth Street and Holland Avenue, in the centre of a plot of ground about 
250 feet square and was easily accessible to all parts of the three boroughs. 

The purchase price of $30,000 being acceptable, this committee con- 
sisting of Mrs. Mary M. Schooley, representing the Hospital Association; 
Mr. Leo. A. Katz, the Board of Commerce, and Dr. W. T. Morgan, the Med- 
ical Society, together with the owners, Mr. & Mrs. Louis Drexler, on Nov- 
ember 23rd, 1904, signed articles of agreement to purchase the same at 
the price asked, a stipulation in the agreement being that in consideration 
of a donation of $2,500, by the owners, the same to be deducted from the 
purchase price, the hospital was to furnish and maintain a ward in the 
hospital as a memorial to Mrs. Rachel A. Clay, the mother of Mrs. Louis 
Drexler, and the first secretary of the original Braddock Hospital Associa- 
tion. 

Purchase of the property being agreed upon, on February 6th, 1905 
a petition for a charter for the Braddock General Hospital — the title for the 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 239 

new organization — was made upon the application of the following who con- 
stituted the first Board of Managers of the Hospital : Geo. Hogg, Mary M. 
Schooley, Leo. A. Katz, Elizabeth James, W. T. Morgan, M. D., David F. 
Collingwood, Fogel G. Bishoff, Louisa E. Kelly Donovan, Fannie Newman. 
Elmira Scritchfield, Louis G. Rubenstein, M. D., Alfred W. Schooley, M. D., 
George Moore, J. A. Miller, M. D., and Harry F. Fisher, M. D., and a charter 
was granted March 11th, 1905 by President Judge of Common Pleas 
Court No. 2 Robert S. Frazier. 

A deed bearing date of April 14th, 1905, conveying the property 
to the Braddock General Hospital completed the transaction of the change 
of ownership and, at a cost of, approximately $7,000 the building was re- 
modeled to meet its new requirements. 

It was, indeed, a gala day for Braddock when on June 27th, 1906, the 
Braddock General Hospital was opened for inspection and for business. 

It soon became apparent that in a very short time the little hospital 
of, practically, 30 beds, would be wholly inadequate to supply the demand 
upon it. This condition of affairs created an embarassing position for the 
Board of Managers, for with a purchase money Mortgage of $17,500 still 
on hand, and no visible means in sight to liquidate it, to say nothing of 
finding extra funds for new building purposes, the prospects for increasing 
the facilities of the hospital were not very encouraging. Gradually beds 
for the sick and injured were at a premium. Every bed in the hospital 
was occupied, and cots were provided in every conceivable corner to ac- 
commodate those who insisted upon getting in, and many were being daily 
turned away. 

Succumbing, at last, to the clamorings of a suffering public, the 
Board of Managers of the hospital decided to endeavor to meet the de- 
mands upon the institution, trusting that Providence, in the garb of one or 
more good Samaritans would volunteer to lift the added burden it would 
incur. 

Plans for a new building were prepared and, at a cost of $40,000, a 
new wing was added to the hospital, affording accommodation for about 
70 beds, or more than double the capacity of the original hospital, besides 
furnishing more commodious quarters for administrative and other pur- 
poses. 

With these, apparently ample accommodations, it was deemed un- 
necessary to continue the original hospital as such, and it was, and still 
is. utilized for dormitory purposes for student Nurses who, up until this 
time, were housed in rented quarters near the hospital. 



240 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

A few years later, the Board of Managers of the hospital were again 
confronted with the same old problem of supply and demand. Overcrowd- 
ing was again becoming the rule rather than the exception, so much so 
that, at times, notwithstanding every private room was occupied and every 
bed in the wards was filled, beds and cots were placed in the sun parlors, 
corridors and alcoves and, on not a few occasions, the office of the di- 
rectress of nurses, the doctors' Library and the Board room were pressed 
into service for those who, literally, demanded admission, and there was 
still a waiting list of those who laid claim to "the next bed". While the 
normal capacity of the hospital was 70 beds, as many as 90 patients at 
one time were housed under its roof. 

The proposition to conduct a week of so called "Whirlwind Cam- 
paign," for the purpose of raising the necessary funds to add an additional 
wing to the hospital was duly considered and accepted, and one was staged 
for a week in October, 1913. A small army of workers under the ef- 
ficient leadership of C. E. Dinkey, Superintendent of the Edgar Thomson 
Works of the United States Steel Corporation labored most valiantly, and 
secured cash and pledges to the amount of $68,000. Of this amount $63,- 
000 has actually been collected. 

Realizing that this amount would be totally inadequate even to 
build the contemplated addition, to say nothing of its equipment for ser- 
vice, and having also in mind the already existing debt of $29,333 charged 
against the hospital, the Board was very reluctant to place another bur- 
den on the institution which, eventually, must be borne by the public at 
large. But because of the continued crowding of the hospital and the in- 
creasing demands for more and more accommodations, coupled with the 
fact the Board realized its obligation to the contributors to the Campaign 
fund to utilize the money collected for no other purpose than that for which 
it was solicited, the Board unanimously concluded to carry through the 
work of adding another wing, with the result that on April 19th, 1917, in 
the presence of several hundred friends the second wing, at a cost of near- 
ly $90,000, was dedicated to the services of suffering humanity, thus ad- 
ding 60 more beds to its capacity. 

No pains were spared to make this new wing a model in every 
respect. From the first floor which contains the main and diet kitchens, 
together with the dining rooms, to the top floor of the building on which 
are to be found the operating rooms and pathological laboratories, every- 
thing is as modern and up-to-date as it is possible to be made, even to the 
lighting signal system for the use of patients, in place of the antiquated 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 241 

electric call bell. In fact every part of the equipment is of the latest and 
best. 

The following are some of the institution's benevolent friends who 
maintain either a ward, a room, a bed or a cot in the hospital as a memorial 
to some loved one, or for some equally noble reason. 

Mr. and Mrs. Louis Drexler for Rachel A. Clay, Jewish Ladies Aux- 
iliary I. 0. 0. B., Mr., and Mrs. Ferd Newman, Woman's Club of Braddock, 
Braddock Ministerial Association, Mrs. Henry Brown, Mrs. Fannie Handel. 
Valetta Commandery K. of M. No. 129, Ladies' Auxiliary of the Braddock 
General Hospital, Mr. F. G. Bishoff, Mr. J. Windt, Mr. Steinmetz and 
family, Dr. H. W. Morrow, Womens Christian Temperance Union, Bernath 
Weiss. 

The staff and officers of the hospital are as follows: — 

Surgery— A. W. Schooley, M. D., H. E. Dean, M. D., J. B. Smith, M. 
D., T. H. Snowwhite, M. D. 

Medicine— L. G. Rubenstein, M. D., J. C. Nicholls, M. D. 

Gynecology— W. T. Morgan, M. D., H. F. Fisher, M. D. 

Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat — D. A. Metzgar, M. D. 

Pediatrics— W. T. Pyle, M. D. 

Pathology— S. R. Mills, M. D. 

Radiography— F. K. Whitfield, M. D., B. M. Bartilson, M. D. 

Laboratory Technician — Miss Anna May Young. 

Superintendent of Hospital — Miss Margaret W. Woodside. 

Assistant Superintendent — Miss Sophie E. Ripper. 

Directress of Nurses — Miss Emma E. Church. 

Assistant Directress of Nurses — Miss Amy Linsenmeyer. 

Dietitian — Miss Martha L. Morgan. 

Operating Room Nurse — Miss Lina G. Enders. 

Night Superintendent — Miss Irene Kierman. 

Clerk — Miss Dorothy Newman. 

The hospital training school for Nurses, like the hospital, has re- 
ceived the official endorsement of the State, and has graduated, thus far, 
fifty-eight nurses. The first class received their diploma? in April, 1910 
and a class has been graduated annually since that year. 

The Board of Managers of the hospital consists of fifteen members, 
comprising an equal representation of the Contributors at large, the Med- 
ical Society and the Ladies Auxiliary — this latter a working body of 
women supplanting the original Hospital Association. The names and of- 
ficers of the present Board are as follows : 



242 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

F. G. Bishoff, Mrs. Elizabeth James, D. A. Metzgar, M. D., W. T. 
Morgan, M. D., George H. Lamb, E. J. Striebich, C. B. Guttridge, F. K. 
Whitfield. M. D., H. E. Dean, M. D., Mrs. Elmira Scritchfield, Mrs. Louise 
Bachman, Wm. Conner, Miss Florence E. Mench, J. C. Nicholls, M. D. 
President W. T. Morgan, M. D., Vice President George H. Lamb, Treasurer 
Fogel G. Bishoff, Secretary Miss Florence E. Mench. 

The first Superintendent of the hospital was Miss Mary J. Weir, 
serving in that capacity from the opening of the institution until July 1910, 
and it was due not a little to her executive ability that the hospital was 
early placed upon a good working basis. Miss Wier resigned to become the 
bride of Dr. Clinton S. Kerr, of Emlenton, Pa., and Miss Ellen Hunt was 
elected as her successor. Miss Hunt was a lady of exceptional qualities. Her 
kindly disposition and gentle manner during the three years of her official 
connection with the hospital had endeared her to all those with whom she 
came in contact. Miss Hunt died suddenly in July, 1913, while on a visit 
to friends during her vacation. By her death the hospital sustained a loss 
that was sincerely and greatly felt by all connected with it. 

Miss Margaret W. Woodside, the present Superintendent assumed 
the duties of the office in December, 1913, and has demonstrated her abil- 
ity to grasp and control the requirements of the rapidly growing demands 
of the institution. 

Mr. George Hogg was the first President of 
the Board of Managers and during the time he 
served in that capacity there was no detail in the 
installation of the hospital and its subsequent 
management requiring his consideration that he 
did not give his personal attention. He easily 
demonstrated himself to be the right man, in the 
right place and at the right time. After serving 
as president for about a year Mr. Hogg, on account 
of the pressure of his personal business, resigned 

GEO. HOGG. 

from that office and Mr. George Moore was de- 




( Editor's Note.) — To one man more than any other — Dr. Wm. T. Morgan, the 
present president of the Braddock General Hospital and author of this chapter — is 
due the consummation of the Braddock hospital idea. Dr. Morgan has given credit 
to others, deservedly so, but with his commendable and natural modesty, he has en- 
tirely eliminated himself from the chapter as a leading factor in the ultimate com- 
pletion and success of the hospital. Dr. Morgan took up the project when it was in 
abeyance, revived it through various mediums, and kept the movement going with 
such impetus that it came to full realization. No better tribute for Dr. Morgan's un- 
tiring, unselfish zeal for the hospital can be given than the hospital, completed and 
serving humanity, which will always be a lasting testimony to his purely altruistic 
labors. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



243 




CEO. MOORE. 



servedly elected in his stead. Early interested in 
the hospital project Mr. Moore not only labored 
unremittingly to bring- the enterprise to a success- 
ful conclusion, giving liberally of his time and his 
money to the work, but continued that same inter- 
est with unabated zeal to the end of his life. Even 
during the last few months of his life, when he 
was, physically, unable to give his personal atten- 
tion to the affairs of the institution as became the 
office of president, he was as solicitous of the wel- 
fare of the hospital as though it were his own per- 
sonal affair. Mr. Moore died January 25th, 1914, and by his death the 
hospital lost one of its real friends, and the legacy he helped make pos- 
sible for the physical unfortunates of Braddock and vicinity will ever re- 
main a monument to his unselfish interest in the cause of suffering hu- 
manity. 

Since the death of Mr. Moore, the writer" ' 
has worn the mantle of the Presidency with as 
much grace as is possible for him to do, and, fully 
appreciating the responsibilities attached thereto, 
has endeavored, at all times, to perform his duty 
as he sees it. 

While the three organizations mentioned 
were the leading influences in promoting the or- 
iginal hospital, there are a host of others who de- 
serve great credit for their heroic efforts to make 
the present institution a reality. 
The merchants and citizens of Greater Braddock should not be 
neglected in the list of those who so nobly planned and worked that Brad- 
dock might be possessed of such an institution. 

The newspapers, also, lent valuable assistance and ■ the publicity 
given every step aided greatly in keeping the hospital idea ever before the 
people. When the subject is entirely summed up it will be clearly seen 
that the Braddock General Hospital is the result of the united efforts of 
all, and there is scarcely a man, woman, or child in the entire district who 
has not, in some way, made possible the glorious monument on the hill, and 
it is pleasing to record that the Braddock General Hospital is open to the 
afflicted of all classes and conditions, regardless of creed, nationality, 
color or financial standing, each and every one receiving the kindness 




DR. W. T. MOki; \N. 



(1) See Editor's Note on opposite page. 



244 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

and consideration that his or her case demands and from the day the first 
patient was admitted on June 28th, 1906, until the present time when near- 
ly 12,000 have received medical and surgical care under its roof and 500 
have first seen the light of day within its walls, the hospital has proved 
itself to be what its friends have always claimed for it, a much needed in- 
stitution. 



MEDICAL HISTORY OF BRADDOCK. 

BY S. ROY MILLS, M. D. 

The Physician, like the "Proverbial Poor", we have always with us, 
for go where you will, there within call will be found one who 
bears the burden of our infirmities, both physical and mental. 

In the not very distant past this individual was considered one of 
the Honored Members of the community and as such, was accordingly re- 
spected and looked up to. He was a welcome visitor at all times, either 
professionally or otherwise. Very often he was held before the children 
as an example for good, and in some cases used as a whip to lead erring 
youngsters in the right paths, but always was the surname Doctor applied 
with a sense of honor, amounting almost to reverence. To-day the term 
is used indiscriminately to designate numerous classes of callings and oc- 
cupations, regardless of the educational requirements, be it a simple 
three months or prolonged over a course of seven years. 

Think what you will of the Physician, let the Cynic say that his 
"Mistakes are all buried", and we emphatically deny this, (they live on 
forever as Living Mill-stones) — yet are you bound to admit that he ?s 
the first to be called and the first to respond in the time of need but al- 
ways the last to be thought of, if at all, when accounts are to be settled. 
In this connection I was very much amused at the account given me by 
one of our most successful and best known Practitioners, in relation to his 
first year of practice which he spent in a nearby city. It seems that in 
this year he worked as hard and saw as many patients as he has ever seen 
since in a like time and received for this the magnificent sum of $235.00, 
which you can easily see did not even pay for the upkeep of his horse. 
Time certainly has made no material change in this respect. 

In going back over the Medical History of this vicinity I find the 
earliest mentioned Physicians are Drs. Murray, Rush Marchand and Willi- 
am Penny. Of these, nothing can be found except that Dr. Marchand was 
spoken of as being especially proficient in the treatment of dog-bite (From 
an account of J. B. Corey) and that his colleague Dr. Penny was something 
of a Lay Preacher as well, and was frequently to be found in the pulpits 
of the various churches when their Pastors were indisposed. 

Next on the scene comes William Gore, who at this time, (slightly 
before 1860) was located at what is now Monroetown, and who later re- 



246 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



moved to Turtle Creek and then to Braddock. He is remembered by the 
residentors as the Chesterfield of the profession, as he was always attired 
in the most correct dress and at all times was the Perfect Gallant. Death 
called him after but a few years of practice in this vicinity. 



THE OLDEST LIVING PHYSICIANS OF BRADDOCK. 
IN REGARD TO TIME OF SERVICE. 





A. W. SCHOOLF.Y. 

1871. 



E. W. DEAN. 



About this time, we find that another Physician has made his ap- 
pearance and is located in Port Perry, in the person of J. C. F. Maggini. 
Dr. Maggini was graduated from the Ohio Medical School in 1841 and es- 
tablished himself in Cincinnati for about a year, when he removed to 
Fayetteville in the same State. Here he remained until about 1859, when 
he brought his family to Port Perry and here practised until his removal to 
Braddock in 1875. All of his family were well known here, especially B. 
A. Maggini, who is at present one of our prominent and successful hard- 
ware dealers. Doctor Maggini died in 1877. 

From this time on Braddock seems to have had an especial call for 
Physicians. Dr. J. D. Schooley, the father of the present well known 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 247 

Practitioner, A. W. Schooley, located here in 1861. He graduated from 
Starling Medical School and practised in Cadiz, Ohio for about six years 
before coming here. His first office was in the McCune House on Jones 
Avenue, but after a year here, he removed to his own property on Braddock 
Avenue, and later added to his practice the management of a drug store, 
located at the same site. The Grim Reaper relieved him of his arduous 
duties in 1880. 

At about the same time that we find Dr. Schooley, Doctor J. W. Linn 
put in his appearance, located a little farther along Braddock Avenue, and 
like him also maintained a drug store along with his office. 

James Matlack opened an office in the Old Robinson House in 1868 
and remained here for several years when he removed to Turtle Creek 
and continued to practise until his death in 1877. 

Next comes W. A. Sandles, who had an office at the head of Ninth 
Street, and later on Verona Street. One of the "Old School", Dr. Sandles 
has left behind a most enviable reputation. He is spoken of as one of the 
most likeable as well as successful men of his time. His death surely 
caused a distinct loss to this community. 

Doctor Kimmel located here in 1868, but remained only until 1871, 
when he removed to the West. 

A. W. Schooley, the Oldest Living Practitioner of this district and 
the first example of a son following his father in the practice of medicine 
in Braddock, graduated from Jefferson Medical School in 1871 and came to 
Braddock in the same year, going in with his father on Braddock Avenue. 
He was born at Everett, Penna., coming to Braddock in 1861, and has lived 
here ever since, with the exception of the last few years, when he removefl 
his residence to East Liberty, though he still maintains his office here. Few 
indeed are the children or the younger grown-ups of this vicinity who are 
not friends of this Grand Old Member of our Profession. Shall any of 
us forget that familiar snow-white beard or that ever present friendliness, 
which are so characteristic of our esteemed colleague? As he is to-day, 
so do I remember him from my youth and must say that Time has cer- 
tainly not made any very appreciable change in him, not even in ap- 
pearance. 

The year 1876 finds E. W. Dean located on Library Street in the 
building just next to what is now Strights Pharmacy, but in about a 
year he removed to what is now the Stewart building at the head of Eighth 
Street. A short time later, he was installed in his own property on Li- 
brary Street, where he still maintains his office, although it has been 



248 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

somewhat changed about because the building- has been but lately re- 
modeled into the Masonic Temple. Doctor Dean, next to Dr. Schooley, is 
the Oldest Living Physician of Braddock in regard to time of service. He 
is the father of Dr. H. E. Dean, one of the most successful of the "Younger 
Physicians" — the second example of father and son practising medicine 
in this vicinity. (1) Dr. E. W. Dean took a special course in Eye, Ear, Nose 
and Throat at the New York Polyclinic from 1887-90 and returned to 
Braddock to specialize in this branch of medicine and surgery. 

We find among the local physicians quite a few who are distinctly 
Local Products, as it were, i. e., born here and educated in this district. 
These are H. E. Dean, C. C. Gardner, Ira Harris, F. K. Whitfield, John 
Zeok and myself. 

Again, there are physicians in other localities, who were raised 
and educated in this community. Among such are Drs. Griffith, Frank 
Mervis and Frank Patterson. Also, Dr. Jacob Rosenbloom has achieved 
distinction in Biological chemistry and toxicology, while Dr. Grover C. Weil 
is a prominent and successful surgeon. Both of these are at present lo- 
cated in Pittsburgh. The writer's brother, Dr. W. W. Mills, is located in 
Duquesne. 

To keep an accurate record of the physicians who have come and 
gone is almost an impossibility, as there were many whose sojourn here 
lasted less than a year, and many who remained only a few months in all. 
Dr. F. S. Rossiter, who had an office in the McDonald building during 
1909-11 and then went to Swissvale, has reopened an office at the site re- 
cently vacated by Dr. A. E. Bulger, who has joined the army. 

It would seem on the surface that Braddock had more than its share 
of physicians, but on closer view we find that the pro-rata number of peo- 
ple per doctor is well above the general average for the same in this part 
of our country. 

Following is the list in brief: 



(1) The life history of Braddock doctors presents other interesting 
family connections which should be known, though Dr. Mills' modesty prevents 
his referring to them. In the Mills family are two doctors, brothers, Dr. S. Roy, 
and Dr. Wm, W., both raised in Braddock, graduates of Braddock High School, and 
of the University of Pittsburgh. The Doctors Bair, both practicing in Braddock, are 
also brothers. In this case there is a whole family of doctors, as two other brothers 
are engaged in the profession, while a sister is the wife of Dr. Jas. N. Stanton of 
Pittsburgh, and another sister is the wife of Dr. I. M. Eisaman, a Braddock dentist. 
Dr. A. W. Hinman, who has been practicing veterinary surgery in Braddock for 
twenty-three years, has four brothers who are doctors of medicine. Dr. Harold H. 
Lamb can claim a long line of close relationship among the profession, two uncles, 
three great uncles, and nine cousins. — (Ed.) 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 249 

Year Death or 

Name University U>R Located Practice Removal 

< - > H Here 

J. C. F. Maggini Ohio Medical R. 1859.. ..General Died 1877 

J. I). Schooley Starling R. .1861... .General Died 1880 

J. W. Linn Jefferson R ...1861.... General Died 1880 

Jas Matlack Jefferson R... 1868. ..General Died 1877 

W. A. Sandles Jefferson R ...1869. General Died 1891 

Dr. Kimmel R... 1869. ..General ...Moved West, 1871 

A. W. Schooley Jefferson R... 1871. ..General 

E. W. Dean Hahnnemann H... 1876... Eve, Ear, Nose, Throat 

J. W. Weddel R... 1876... General Deceased 

W. M. Corothers Jefferson R... 1877. .General Died 1902 

E. O. Anderson Hahnemann H....1877... General Died 1897 

J. H. McLaughlin Cincinnati R....1877. ...General Died 1913 

B. F. Price Cincinnati R... 1882.. ..General Died 1909 

Christian Hagar Dublin R.... 1885. ...General 

Chas. H. Clifford Jefferson R... 1888.. ..General 

W. S. Stewart Medico-Chi R....1888....General ....Moved West, 1910 

C. B. Weida Jefferson R....1889.... General ... Died 1905 

W. T. Morgan Maryland R.. ..1889... .General and Gynaecology 

G. E. Bair Jefferson R.... 1890... .General 

P. C. Cope Pittsburgh R....1890....General 

J. A. Miller Pittsburgh R... 1891... General Died 1917 

Geo. Tell R....1891.... General Died 1907 

Anna Watts Hahnemann H... .1892. —General 

B. M. Bartilson Jefferson R....1893... Medicine and Surgery 

G. H. McGeary Hahnemann H....1893....Gen'l ..Wilkinsburg, 1917 

D. A. Molyneaux Dublin U R.... 1894.... General Died 1913 

J. Behane Dublin U R....1894.... General Died 1906 

W. A. Clementson Jefferson R....1895....Genito-urinary, Died 1912 

H. F. Fisher Pittsburgh R....1895....Gynaecology 

C. A. Meals Jefferson R... 1896. ..General and Surgery. 

A. J. Korhnak Jefferson R .1898.. ..General 

J. C. Hartman Pittsburgh R....1899... General 

J. C. Nichols Pittsburgh R....1899... General 

D. A. Metzgar Pittsburgh R.... 1899.. ..Eye, ear, nose & throat 

Max Horowitz Bellevue R....1900... General Removed 1903 

L. G. Rubenstein Pittsburgh R ... .1901... General 

Samuel Howard Shaw R....1902... General 

E. W. Ellis Pittsburgh R.... 1902. ...General Removed 1904 

T. S. Hicks(3) N. Y. Homeo H. .1903... General 

H. H. Turner Jefferson R... 1904. ..Eye only 

W. M. Proctor Hahnnemann H. 1905... General Died 1911 

F. K. Whitfield Louisville R....1905... General and X-Ray 

Ira Harris Louisville R .. 1905. ...General 

C. E. Bair Jefferson R....1906....General 

H. E. Dean Pennsylvania R....1906.... General and Surgery 

H. S. Isaacs Pittsburgh R....1906....Gen., Killed in Accident 1912 

J. B. Smith Pittsburgh R .1908... General and Surgery 

C. C. Gardner (4).. Pittsburgh R....1910....Genito-urinary 

A. E. Bulger Pittsburgh R....1910. General Army 1917 

A. A. Wall Shaw R... 1910.. ..General ' 

W. J. Lowrie Medico-Chi R. 1911. ...General 

S. R. Mills(S) .Pittsburgh R... 1911. ..General and Pathology.... 

O. I. Polk Pittsburgh R... 1912. ..General 

R. N. Lowrie Medico-Chi R....1912... General 

J. P. Egan Medico-Chi R... 1913. ..General 

F. L. Morrow Pittsburgh R... 1914 General 

T. H. Snowwhite<«> Pittsburgh R... 1914. ..General 

John Zeok Louisville R 1914 General 

R. A. Godlewski Valparaiso, Ind R... .1915. ...General 

M. S. Bowers<<5> Pittsburgh R.... 1917. ...General 

H. H. Lamb Pittsburgh R... 1917. ...General and Pathologj 

(1) R — Regular. (4) Enlisted in Naval Reserves. 

(2) H— Homeopath. (5) Enlisted in Navy. 

(3) Enlisted in Cavalry. (('.) Enlisted in Army. 



FRATERNAL SOCIETIES. 

BY REUBEN D. ABBISS, JR. 

I. O. 0. F., Braddock's Field Lodge No. 529, Inst. Nov. 17, 1856. 

F. & A. M., Braddock's Field Lodge No. 510, warranted June 5, 1872. 

I. O. 0. F., McMaster's Encampment No. 239, instituted April 23, 



1873. 



0. of I. A. Monongahela Council No. 122, instituted June 21, 1879. 
G. A. R., Major A. M. Harper Post No. 181, instituted July 31, 1880. 
R. A., Edgar Thomson Council No. 512, instituted August 10, 1880. 
Ladies of G. A. R., instituted September 1, 1883. 

N. S. S. of U. S. A., Slavian Assembly No. 21, founded Jan. 20, 1889. 
The Maccabees, Bessemer Tent No. 92, organized Feb. 16, 1889. 
C. M. B. A., Branch No. 65, instituted July 8, 1889. 
S. M. A. S. S., Branch No. 35, organized Feb. 9, 1890. 
K. of P., Husband Lodge No. 386, instituted Feb. 13, 1892. 
S. E. U., St. Paul's Branch No. 4, organized Oct. 30, 1892. 
A. & I. 0. K. of M. Valetta Commandery No. 129, instituted Feb. 
23, 1893. 

St. J. R. C. U. of A. Branch No. 6, organized March 14, 1895. 

1. K. S. J. Cisle 197, organized Aug. 3, 1895. 

A. & I. 0. K. of M., Melrose Commandery No. 179, instituted Nov. 
27. 1895. 

G. U. 0. 0. F. Triumphant Lodge No. 3954, instituted Jan. 26, 1896. 

T. B. H. Arrius Court, No. 4, organized Feb. 4, 1896. 

Z. B. S. S. Branch No. 34, organized May 17, 1896. 

G. C. U., St. Ann's Society No. 108, organized December 20, 1896. 

S. E. U., Branch No. 47, organized Feb. 1898. 

F. W. C. of C, No. 163, organized Mar. 22, 1898. 

L. V. H. H. R., No. 1334, instituted April 11, 1898. 

I. 0. of G. T. North Star Lodge No. 2, instituted June 24, 1900. 

I. O. B. B., Braddock Lodge No. 516, instituted Sept. 8, 1901. 

S. E. U., John the Baptist Branch No. 92, organized June 5, 1902. 

S. & D. of L., instituted June 27, 1902. 

I. 0. B. B. Ladies Auxiliary, instituted Jan. 15, 1903. 

B. P. 0. E., Braddock Lodge No. 833, instituted Nov. 19, 1903. 

S. of V., Capt. W. R. Jones Camp No. 218, instituted Mar. 19, 1904. 
K. of C. Braddock Council No. 711, organized Nov. 27, 1904. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



251 



F. 0. E., Braddock Aerie, instituted June 23, 1905. 

G. of St. A. Branch No. 821, organized Sept. 10, 1905. 

E. S. L. U., "Bethesda" Branch No. 6, organized Jan. 21, 1906. 

I. O. S. D., Mon City Lodge No. 3, organized June 11, 1907. 

L. O. O. M., Braddock Lodge No. 57, instituted October 7, 1908. 

M. W. of A., Camp No. 13413, instituted Nov. 6, 1908. 

P. R. C. U., St. Joseph Society No. 449, instituted 1908. 

I. O. St. L. Barton Union Council No. 694, organized 1908. 




MALTA TEMPLE 

R. & G. C. S. B. of Western Pa., organized April 18, 1909. 
R. & G. C. S. B. St. John's Society, organized May 1909. 
P. A. C. C, instituted Sept. 30, 1910. 
A. O. H., Ladies Auxiliary, instituted May 16, 1912. 
E. S. U., Branch No. 73, organized May 19, 1912. 
K. of St. J., St. Mary's of Mount Carmel Commandery, No. 199, in- 
stituted July 7, 1912. 

D. of I., Braddock Court No. 244, instituted July 19, 1914. 



252 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

I. 0. M. B. Lodge of Braddock, re-organized Feb. 24, 1917. 

There are in America more secret societies and a larger aggregate 
membership than in all other civilized countries of the World. 

Our land of liberty and democracy afforded a most congenial, re- 
ceptive and unrestricted field for the active development of a prevailing 
anti-ism and for the popular formation of societies of the fraternal order. 
The great majority were founded, operated and have existed on the hon- 
est principle of fraternal love and association. These have, therefore, 
very naturally contributed materially in the consolidation, agreeable as- 
sociation and the general betterment of such a cosmopolitan and conglomer- 
ate crowd as that which, augmented from time to time by immigration, 
to-day forms the population of some hundred millions of Americans. 

Some time since it was reported that there were 650 well known, 
regularly formed and generally recognized fraternal orders in the United 
States, with an aggregate membership of 8,000,000. There were in ex- 
istence at that time, additional smaller orders with an enrollment of 
about 3,000,000 members making a grand total of 11,000,000 American 
citizens, or about one tenth of the entire population of the United States. 
The estimated amount of insurance is stated to be about $7,000,000,000. 

More than 30,000 members are annually added to the rolls of the 
Masonic Fraternity alone, and quite as many join the Odd Fellow Societies. 
About one-half as many add to the annual membership of the Knights 
of Pythias. The smaller societies secure an increase of recruits every 
year in almost the same proportion. 

Although the American Fraternities have the same basis and funda- 
mental principles common to the Friendly Societies of England and Scot- 
land, and are in fact the outgrowth of British secret and non-secret 
friendly societies ; yet they possess features which are purely and dis- 
tinctly American. 

As in Great Britain, the American Societies are organized on the 
Lodge System with grips, passwords, and rituals. The foundation and 
existence of these societies is a contract to pay by means of assessments a 
stipulated amount of insurance to the beneficiaries of the deceased mem- 
bers, and in some instances sick, disability and funeral benefits. 

The general aim of these societies is to cultivate the spirit of fra- 
ternity ; by encouraging the social, the intellectual, the esthetic, they in- 
crease the popularity of their respective organizations. 

The Masons, Odd Fellows, Elks and Maltas, of Braddock, all own their 
homes of which they are justly very proud. Most of the other Orders are 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



253 



very strong financially and some of them contemplate the erection of a 
home in the near future. 

Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Braddock's Field Lodge No. 
529, was instituted Nov. 17, 185G. The Charter Members were: John W. 
House, Daniel Kuhns, Morris Brannon, John C. Campbell, Miles Fawcett, 
William Sarver, James Carson, Lloyd Jamison, Samuel Baden, James Pet- 
ty, Samuel Watts, Daniel Mansfield, H. Bailey, Jacob Linheart, James 
McCleary, Samuel Kuhns. 




ELK'S CLUB. 



The following officers were elected: John W. House, Noble Grand: 
Daniel Kuhns, Vice Grand; Morris Brannon, Secretary; John C. Campbell, 
Financial Secretary ; and Miles Fawcett, Treasurer. 

The officers at present are: Thomas N. Strathern, Noble Grand; 
Edward M. Graffis, Vice Grand ; W. S. Lowman, Rec. Secretary ; Reuben 
Abbiss, Financial Secretary; and Philip D. Heyne, Treasurer. 

Braddock's Field Lodge No. 510, Free and Accepted Masons, was 
warranted on June 5, 1872, with the following charter members: Esli P. 
Black, William F. Lang, John H. Cooper, Thomas J. Dowler, Henry M. 
Lytle, William B. Lucus, Christopher C. Fawcett, Sharply M. Packer, New- 



254 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

ton I. Roberts, Edward J. Allen, John Bladridge, Jr., Thomas K. McVay, 
Thomas J. Lewis, William F. Hope, Samuel W. Elliot. 

The first officers were: William F. Lang, Worshipful Master; John 
H. Cooper, Senior Warden; Thomas J. Dowler, Junior Warden; Christopher 
C. Fawcett, Treasurer ; William F. Hope, Secretary. 

The present officers are: David Dudgeon, Worshipful Master; 
James H. Rose, Senior Warden; Clarence F. Bernatz, Junior Warden; 
Henry C. Shallenberger, Treasurer; "Thomas J. Dowler, Secretary. 

McMaster's Encampment No. 239, I. 0. 0. F. was instituted at Tur- 
tle Creek, April 23, 1873. The first meeting of this organization in Brad- 
dock was held Mar. 21, 1885. 




CHRISTOPHER C. FAWCETT.I2I 

The first officers and charter members were: David Mackey, C. P.; 
James S. McCauley, Sr. W. ; S. H. McCabe, H. P. ; David Allen. Jr. W. ; John 
Gibb, Scribe; George W. Ament, Treasurer; John Glunt, Alexander Cun- 
ningham, W. A. Crusan, N. G. Harrison, David McMunn, Taylor Mcintosh, 
George Crake, H. Maxwell, R. N. Lewis, and Henry Lane. 

The present officers are: George K. Butler, C. P.; Edward M. Graf- 
fls, H. P. ; Clarence N. Sickler, Sr. W. ; Warren D. Kellar, Jr. W. ; Reuben 
Abbiss, Scribe; and R. Olin Glenn, Treasurer. 



(1) Thos. J. Dowler died March 28, 1917, having served the lodge as secretary 
continuously for forty-five years. 

(2) Only living charter member of Braddock's Field Lodge No. 570, F. & A. M. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 255 

Order of Independent Americans, Monongahela Council No. 122, was 
instituted in Seewald's Hall June 21, 1879, by Daniel G. Evans, State 
Councilor, of the Junior 0. U. A. M. assisted by Smoky City Council No. 
119. In June 1904 the Council affiliated with the majority of Councils 
in Pennsylvania by forming the 0. of I. A., in order that the real objects 
and purposes of the parent organization could be carried out in a success- 
ful manner. 

The present officers are C. W. Cochran, Con.; G. H. Gardner, V. C. ; 
O. K. Hyland, Recording Secretary ; Roy M. Lowers, Secretary ; L. M. Pot- 
ter, Financial Secretary.; Adam Mehlman, Treasurer; Clyde House, Cond. ; 
R. L. Witters, Warden; L. E. Reeves, I. S. ; J. M. O'Donovan, O. S.; H. J. 
Frye, Chaplain; J. G. Kerr, J. I. Nulls, Harold Greig, Trustees; J. F. Lowers, 
Rep. S. C. ; L. M. Potter, Alt. 

Major A. M. Harper Post No. 181, Department Pennsylvania G. A. R. 

In pursuance of Special Order No. 58, Headquarters Department 
of Pennsylvania, Grand Army of the Republic, issued to Thos. J. Gist of 
Post 59, of McKeesport, Pa., a provisional Post was instituted July 31, 
1880 for the purpose of mustering into the O. A. R. Order, Post 181 of 
Braddock, Pa. 

The Comrades of the detail were from the Posts of Pittsburgh, East 
Liberty, McKeesport and were as follows: Thos. J. Gist Post 59, Com- 
mander; W. W. McClellan, Post 3, Sr. Vice Commander; G. S. Gallupe, Post 
88, Jr. Vice Commander; S. A. Wills, Post 3, Adjutant; W. L. Hurd, Post 
59, Quartermaster; L. D. Radinsky, Post 59, Surgeon; Q. Lutz, Post 117, 
Chaplain ; W. W. Tyson, Post 88, Officer of the Day ; A. C. Monland, Post 
151, Officer of the Guard; T. Eastwood, Post 59, Sergeant Major. 

The following were then mustered into the G. A. R. an Post 181, 
of Braddock, and were duly instructed in their duties as comrades of the 
Order of the G. A. R., by the above details of comrades: C. Bennett, J. C. 
Bash, August Brocksmith, Robert Bates, T. C. Clark, J. M. Clark, G. A. 
Douglass, G. S. Fritzius, Wm. Ford, Wm. Flanigan, T. W. Graham, J. W. 
Hawthorne, G. F. House, C. F. Hugo, Wm. Holmes, G. W. Johnson, J. S. 
Jones, H. T. Kulp, V. C. Knorr, C. C. Lobinger, J. L. McFeeters, W. L. Mur- 
dough, J. F. McGuire, Consor McClure, W. T. Meraclith, J. J. Mills, J. W. 
Mathews, David Nichols, R. H. Owens, John Powell, J. H. Rankin, Christian 
Raichle, W. H. Speer, W. A. Sandles, Henry Slater, H. C. Teeter and Casper 
Winters. 

The first officers of the Post were as follows: David Nichols, Past 
Commander; Wm. Holmes, Sr. Vice Commander; H. C. Teeters, Jr. Vice 





\VM. COLBERT." .1 AS. \V. I'AW C'ETT. 

'Oldest living members Braddock's Field Lodge, I. 0. O. P., No. 529. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 257 

Commander; G. S. Fritzius, Adjutant; J. J. Mills, Quartermaster; Dr. W. A. 
Sandles, Surgeon ; W. H. Speer, Chaplain ; J. W. Hawthorne, Officer of the 
Day; R. H. Owens, Officer of the Guard; C. F. Hugo, Sergeant Major; J. 
L. Jones, Quartermaster Sergeant. 

At the second regular meeting of the new Post a Committee con- 
sisting of Jones, Teeter, Murdough was appointed to select the name of 
some deceased comrade for whom to name the Post. This Committee sub- 
mitted the names of A. M. Harper and 0. Noyse, the latter being with- 
drawn, that of A. M. Harper was adopted unanimously. 

The following comrades were prominent in business and industrial 
affairs of Braddock: Capt. W. R. Jones, Capt. T. H. Lapsley, Capt. J. L. 
McFeeters, Isaac Mills, Jr., John Little, John Rinard, Rev. S. P. Slade, Rev. 
J. L. Long, Rev. J. L. Miller, Dr. W. A. Sandles, Dr. W. L. Hunter, Dr. W. 
W. Meyers, Dr. B. F. Price, V. C. Knorr, David Nichols, T. W. Graham, 
J. N. Griffith and H. T. Kulp. 

Following are the names of the Comrades who have filled the office 
of Commander from date of muster until the present time: David Nichols 
(1880, 6 months, deceased) ; Harry C. Teeter (1881-82, 2 years de- 
ceased) ; T. H. Lapsley (1883-84, 2 years, deceased) ; W. H. Speer (1885, 
1 year, deceased) ; G. F. House (1886, 1 year) ; J. L. Jones (1887-88-89, 3 
years, deceased) ; W. L. Murdough (1890, 1 year) ; R. W. Jones (1891, 
1 year, deceased) ; W. J. Redman (1892, 1 year, deceased) ; R. C. Jackson 
(1893, 1 year, deceased) ; J. M. Clark (1894, 1 year, deceased) ; A. M. 
Bryan (1895, 1 year, deceased) ; J. W. Mathews (1896, 1 year, deceased) ; 
A. H. White (1897, 1 year, not a member) ; V. C. Knorr (1898, 1 year) ; 

A. M. Carline (1899, 1 year, not a member) ; Isaac Kramer (1900, 1 year, 
deceased) ; G. B. Hargett (1901, 1 year) ; S. T. Hart (1902, 1 year) ; H. J. 
Sharah (1903, 1 year) ; William Bennett (1904, 1 year, deceased) ; W. R. 
Collins (1905, 1 year) ; W. L. Murdough (1906-07, 2 years) ; D. L. Provance 
(1908, 1 year); W. L. Murdough (1909, 1 year); John Rinard (1910, 1 
year, deceased) ; Jacob Hentz (1911, 1 year) ; B. A. Jobe (1912, 1 year) ; 
Joel Cruckshank (1913, 1 year) ; J. N. Griffith (1914, 1 year) ; P. W. Pike 
(1915, 7 months, deceased) ; J. N. Griffith (1915, 5 months) ; W. L. Mur- 
dough (1916, 1 year). 

The present officers are: W. L. Murdough, Commander; Hamilton 
Mutterfield, Sr. Vice Commander; W. R. Collins, Jr. Vice Commander; 

B. A. Jobe, Adjutant; V. C. Knorr, Quartermaster; J. H. Rankin, Surgeon; 
D. L. Provance, Chaplain; B. F. Spangler, Officer of the Day; J. N. Grif- 
fith, Patriotic Instructor; J. J. Soles, Officer of the Guard; J. N. Griffith, 



258 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

B. F. Spangler, W. R. Collins, Post Trustees ; J. H. Rankin. W. R. Collins 
and Jacob Hintz, Cemetery Trustees. 

From the date of muster up to the present time there were 286 com- 
rades enrolled, but only forty-three (43) are still living, namely Jackson 
Allshouse, Jackson Anderson, Wm. Benson, Hamilton Butterfield, W. R. 
Collins, Joel Cruckshank, Patrick Conley, C. C. Fawcett, Henry Frank, J. 
N. Griffith, T. M. George, Ezekiel Gray, G. F House, J. H. Hoes, S. T. Harte, 
Wm. Huey, Jacob Heinz, James Hurley, B. A. Jobe, V. C. Knorr, H. T. 
Kulp, John Kountz, W. L. Murdough,' 11 Wm. Mayer, John Mensdorf, Wm. 
McCauley, John McCaplin, Thos. McClelland, George Petty, D. L. Provance, 
Wm. Phillips, J. H. Rankin, Christian, Raichle, H. P. Rigby, Hezekiah 
Scritchfield, B. F. Spangler, J. J. Soles' Wm Soles, Phillip Sadler, W. H. 
Thompson, C. T. Taylor, C. J. Williams and John Watkins. 

The Honorary Members are Chas. E. Dinkey, L. F. Holtzman, W. 
H. Sharah, Frances Bebbett, George English, and Miss Tillie Harrison. 
The latter was taken in when a very small girl and was called the daughter 
of the Post. 

Royal Arcanium, Edgar Thomson Council No. 512, was instituted 
Aug. 16, 1880, by Deputy Grand Regent, Owen Handcock of Pittsburgh, 
the charter members being: E. W. Eisenbeis, George A. Lewis, George W. 
Bond, John Dodds, Daniel Berthhold, Matthew I. Davis, Courtlandt F. 
Lukens, Stewart D. St. Clair, Matthias Bankert, J. D. Riley, Victor C. 
Knorr, Dr. George Gladden, Frank Wandrocke, Samuel Bowers, Robert 
A. Hart, Frank Keyser. 

The Officers elected were: Regent, E. W. Eisenbeis; Vice Regent, 
Matthew I. Davis; Orator, Dr. George Gladden; Past Regent, Courtlandt 
F. Lukens, Secretary, George A. Lewis; Treasurer, Victor C. Knorr; Col- 
lector, J. D. Riley. 

The living Past Regents of the Council in order of seniority are; 
J. F. Roberts, F. F. Sneathen, W. Leslie Miller, Edgar S. Wright, J. R. Em- 
mert, Thomas J. Wood, Harry V. Barr, George S. Speidel, John T. C. Bow- 
man, Erastus F. Loucks, M. Clyde Kelly, Harry E. Gwynne, Robert Bennet, 
David Creelman. 

The present officers are : Lewis P. Fisher, Regent ; Wm. J. B. Macaul- 
ey. Vice Regent; Sherman T. Stroup, Orator; David Creelman, Collector; 
E. M. Sharah, Treasurer; J. C. McCormick, Jr., Secretary; C. A. Duffy, 
Chaplain. 



(1) Mr. Murdough, who furnished this account of the Post, died June 8, 1917, 
in consequence of overexertion in the celebration of last Memorial day. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 259 

The Ladies of the G. A. R. were organized and instituted as the 
Loyal Ladies League, September 1, 1883, by the State of New Jersey as an 
aid to the Grand Army of the Republic. 

The Charter Members were: Mrs. Emma Douglass, Mrs. Esther 
Murdough, Mrs. E. H. Ling, Mrs. Helena Lobingier, Mrs. T. Graham, Mrs. 
Ellen B. Soles, Mrs. Sue C. Kulp, Mrs. J. W. Meredith, Mrs. Jennie Slater, 
Mrs. Mary Nichols, Mrs. Margaret House and Mrs. Christiana Bryan. 

At the Convention held in Altoona, Pennsylvania in 1886, a De- 
partment of Pennsylvania, Ladies of the G. A. R., Circle No. 4, was institu- 
ted, the fourth circle in Pennsylvania and the first in Western Pennsyl- 
vania. It was termed the "Mother Circle" and instituted many of the 
Circles of Western Pennsylvania. Circle N. 4 was allied to Post No. 181 
of Braddock and shared all the work pertaining to Grand Army. 

There were forty-two (42) Charter Members but the passing years 
have reduced our number to twenty-six (26), but the work for which we 
were banded together, The Post, The Widows and Orphans of Old Soldiers, 
is enduring. The Home at Hawkins stands as a monument to the Ladies 
G. A. R. 

The first officers were : Mrs. Emma Douglas, President ; Mrs. Helena 
Lobingier, First Vice President ; Mrs. Annie Jones, Second Vice President ; 
Mrs. Ellen B. Soles, Chaplain; Mrs. Sue C. Kulp, Secretary; Mrs. Christiana 
Bryan, Treasurer and Mrs. Anna Rankin, Conductress. 

The present officers are: Mrs. Sarah Campbell, President; Mrs. 
Leona Hugo, Sr. Vice President; Mrs. Nellie Thomas, Jr. Vice President; 
Mrs. Jennie Graham, Chaplain; Mrs. Melisia Provance, Secretary; Mrs. 
Sue C. Kulp, Treasurer; Mrs. Maud Thomas, Patriotic Instructress; Mrs. 
Sarah Hoffman, Conductress ; Mrs. Laura Leffler, Asst. Cond. ; and Isabel 
Humbert, Guard. 

Slavian Assembly No. 21 of the National Slovak Society of the 
United States of America is the oldest Slovak beneficial society in West- 
ern Pennsylvania. It was founded January 20, 1889, through the efforts 
of Messrs. Joseph Wolff, John F. Rybar and John Valecek, with thirty- 
five (35) charter members. It was founded as a sick benefit organization 
but on October 1, 1890, soon after the organization of the National Slovak 
Society, it affiliated with that body and became Slavian Assembly No. 21 
of that body. Affiliated with the Slavian is a childrens' society called 
the Young Folks Circle. 

The officers are John Kulamer, President; John Cupak, Vice Presi- 
dent; Michael Borsuk, Recording Secretary; Michael Stecz, Financial Sec- 



260 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

retary; John A. Gimesky, Treasurer; Peter Dzmura, John Korman, Blasius 
Britanik, Auditors ; and Paul Balint, Elder of the Young Folks Circle. 

The Maccabees, Bessemer Tent No. 92, was organized February 26, 
1889, with twenty-one (21) charter members and the following officers: 
John L. Jones, Sir Knight Commander; J. K. Fisher, Sir Knight Past 
Commander; John Hilgenberg, Sir Knight St. Commander; E. S. Bracken, 
Sir Knight Record Keeper; E. M. Brackemeyer, Sir Knight Finance Keep- 
er; Dr. J. W. Weddle, Sir Knight Chaplain; Dr. J. W. Weddle, Sir Knight 
Physician ; W. R. Edwards, Sir Knight Sargent; T. Kulp, Sir Knight Master 
at Arms ; J. W. Mathews, Sir Knight First Master of Guards ; Chas. Davis, 
Sir Knight Second Master of Guards; G. F. Larimer, Sir Knight Sentinel; 
David Creelman, Sir Knight Picket. 

The present officers are: John Moenick, Sir Knight Past Command- 
er; Albert J. Bachofer, Sir Knight Commander; Thos McCafferey, Sir 
Knight St. Commander; Wm. L. Callahan, Sir Knight Record Keeper; 
Frank A. Reilly, Sir Knight Chaplain ; Homer Carpenter, Sir Knight Sar- 
gent; Dr. J. A. Miller, Sir Knight Physician; George Frye, Sir Knight 
Master at Arms ; Joseph Seamon, Sir Knight First Master of Guards ; 
Joseph Fisher, Sir Knight Second Master of Guards ; John Langley, Sir 
Knight Sentinel; Nickolas Bongartz, Sir Knight Picket; Samuel Benson, 
Homer Carpenter, and A. F. Bachofer, Trustees. 

Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, Branch No. 65 was instituted 
July 8, 1889, with the following charter members: John A. Carr, Edw. D. 
Nugent, Wm. J. Wall, Rodger Daugherty, John Fullard, Owen Larkin, Jos. 
Syden, James Nugent, Chas. W. McGarvey, John C. Logan, Jas. Kinney, 
Jas. Gorman, John Griffin, Sr., Patrick Martin, Patrick O'Shea, M. J. 
Daugherty, Peter Hammill, Wm. McMullen, M. J. Munhall, Wm. Dunn. 

The first officers were: John A. Carr, President; Wm. J. Wall, 
Recording Secretary, Edw. D. Nugent, Financial Secretary; Jas. Kenney, 
Treasurer. 

The present officers are : M. J. Simon, President ; John Mullin, First 
Vice President; John Carr, Second Vice President; Vern Ridge, Recording 
Secretary; P. J. O'Connell, Financial Secretary; Richard J. Butler, Treas- 
urer and W. F. Clark, Chancellor. 

Saint Michael Archangel Slovak Society Branch No. 35, which is the 
largest branch of the Catholic Slovak Union, was organized February 9, 
1890 with sixty (60) members. The fifst President was John Barlok; 
Stephen Vanyo, Financial Secretary ; Frank Shikula, Recording Secretary ; 
John Pilas, Treasurer. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 261 

The present officers are John Lukac, President; Paul Hatala, Vice 
President; Joseph J. Semes, Recording Secretary; Andrew S. Hajdu, Fi- 
nancial Secretary; Imrich Mamrak, Association Secretary; Andrew Pu- 
halla, Treasurer; John Kovaly, First Trustee; Ludwik Martinko, Second 
Trustee. 

Knights of Pythias, Husband Lodge No. 386, was instituted Febru- 
ary 13, 1892. 

The Charter Members were Albert Queery, George Earl, Joe Evens, 
John Maxwell, John M. Reed, Jacob R. Smitley, Ebenezer Wilson, Wm. T. 
Morgan, Elmer Metz, H. T. Barnhart, Charles L. Shoop, Christ Forney and 
J. G. Wallace. 

The officers were: George Earl, C. C. ; John M. Reed, V. C; John 
Maxwell, Prelate ; J. R. Smitley, K. R. S. ; E. L. Wilson, M. F. ; W. T. Morgan, 
M. E. ; I. Reed, M. A. ; H. T. Barnhart, I. G. ; Elmer Metz, 0. G. 

The officers at present are: David George, C. C. ; Edward Payne, 
V. C; Chas. Lewis, Prelate; H. H. Fogie, K. R. S.; W. J. Lewis, M. F. ; 
Samuel Barlow, M. E.; Samuel Branthoover, M. A.; Arthur Fram, I. G. ; 
C. F. Smith, O. G.; Simon Stump, Chas. Lewis, and Wm. Husband are 
Trustees. 

St. Paul's Branch No. 4 of the Slovak Evangelical Union was or- 
ganized October 30, 1892, with the following charter members: Andrew 
Sedlak, Andrew Varga, John Mizoff, George Sec, John Goga Smith, John 
Marcin, Sr., Stephan Cop, John Marton, Michael Sedory, John Sedory, 
Michael Kachman, George Goga, John Smetana, Stephen Gall, George 
Varga, John Sedlak-Onderuf, Joseph Demcak, George Maco. 

The first officers were: Rev. L. Novomeskey, President; Stephen 
Cop, Vice President; George Vargo, Secretary; John Marton, Treasurer; 
Andrew Damankos, Financial Secretary. 

The present officers are: Stephen Kusnier, President; John Stark, 
Secretary, Andrew Duraj, Jr., Financial Secretary; John Tompos, Treasur- 
er. 

Valetta Commandery, No. 129, Ancient & Illustrious Order Knights 
of Malta, was instituted February 23, 1893, with 59 charter members, ten 
of whom are still living. The officers were: Sir J. N. Griffith, Past Com- 
mander; Sir M. F. Michael, Sir Knight Commander; Sir Jacob Shipman, 
Generalissimo; Sir Henry Miller, Captain General; Sir Wm. Porter, Pre- 
late ; Sir D. F. Melville, Recorder ; Sir A. H. Parker, Treasurer. 

The present officers ai - e : Sir E. B. Calihan, S. K. C. ; Sir John Somer- 
ville, Generalissimo; Sir Chas. Stewart Jr., Captain General; Sir F. A. 



262 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

Meacham, Prelate; Sir Albert Liston, Treasurer and Sir E. T. Engelhart, 
Recorder. Valetta Commandery has been especially honored by the 
election of the following to the Supreme and Grand offices of the Order. 

Sir David F. Melville, Grand Commander Pennsylvania 1899. 
Supreme Commander, Continent of America 1903. 

Sir B. M. Bartilson, M. D., Grand Commander Pennsylvania 1904, 
Supreme Commander, Continent of America 1908. 

Sir H. F. Fisher, M. D., Grand Commander Pennsylvania 1914. 

St. Albert's Roman Catholic Benevolent Society, Branch No. 6 of 
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Union of America, was organized March 
14, 1895, and was the first Polish Society in Braddock. The first officers 
were: Frank Sumeracki, President; Anthony Pater, Vice President; Thomas 
Polanski, Secretary; Ludwick Wlazlinski, Treasurer; Anthony Krzyzosiak, 
and Philip Kanarkowski, Trustees. 

The Society was chartered by the Common Pleas Court of Allegheny 
County, Mar. 13, 1897. The charter members were Anthony Pater, Lud- 
wick Wlazlinski, Peter Dudek, Anthony Krzyzosiak and John Drozen. 

The present officers are: Anthony Krzyzosiak, President; Felix 
Josienski, Vice President; Joseph Balawajder, Secretary; Michael Peli, 
Financial Secretary; Frank Czapliwski, Treasurer; Philip Kanarkowski 
and Frank Wisniewski, Trustees; Joseph Rosin and Frank Kultis, Di- 
rectors of Sick. 

Spolok Sv. Rodiny Jezis, Maria a Jozef Cislo, 197 I. K. S. J., was 
organized in St. Michael's Parish, August 3, 1895 with 33 charter mem- 
bers and the following officers: John Pipko, President; Andrew Zajac, 
Secretary; George Opet, Financial Secretary; Jozef Popovich, Treasurer. 

The present officers are: John T. Oranez, President; John Kizason- 
iak, Secretary; George M. Kallock, Financial Secretary; Jozel Manik, 
Treasurer. 

Melrose Commandery, No. 179, Ancient & Illustrious Order Knights 
of Malta, was organized by Alexander McPhee, November 27, 1895, with 
sixty-five (65) charter members, eighteen (18) of whom are still active 
in the affairs of the Commandery. The following were the first officers: 
George Nash, Sir Knight Commander; G. W. Brown, Generalissimo; Au- 
gust Mann, Captain General; R. P. Everett, Prelate; Frank Boardman, 
Recorder; Chas. B. Guttridge, Asst. Recorder; Giddeon H. Jaquay, Treasur- 
er; A. Allison, Sr. Warden; Thos. Watkins, Jr. Warden; F. E. Wollerton, 
Standard Bearer; John Peterson, Sword Bearer; Fred Miller, Warder; R. 
Miller, Sentinel; Ruben Guttridge, First Guard; E. S. Metz, Second Guard. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 263 

The present officers are: Martin J. Fisher, S. K. C. ; James Baxter, 
Generalissimo ; Edgar Reed, Captain General ; Arthur Fram, Prelate ; 
David H. Drylie, Recorder; John Neckeraeur, Asst. Rec. ; Harry C. Dixon, 
Treasurer; Fred M. Lucas, Sr. Warden; William Crawford, Jr. Warden. 

Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, Triumphant Lodge No. 3954, 
was instituted Jan. 26, 1896, with the following charter members: H. J. 
Rector, Jessie Roy, James L. Roy, P. H. Homes, W. W. Jackson, Thomas 
Humes, J. H. Brown, R. H. Greer, James Florence, Sandy Jones. 

The present officers are: William McWright, N. G.; James H. Hair- 
ston, V. G. ; R. G. Puryear, Chaplain; John J. Willis, N. F. ; Samuel Moore, 
P. N. F. ; Kaleb Booker, W. ; Alexander Weathers, Advo. ; J. E. Sackwell, 
Treasurer; William Stanton, E. S.; William H. Barton, P. Secy. 

Arrius Court No. 4, Tribe of Ben Hur was organized Feb. 4, 1896 in 
Carline's Hall, Ninth and Washington Streets with sixty (60) charter mem- 
bers. The first officers were: Chief, Louis Sulzbacher; Judge, Robert J. 
Kinter; Teacher, Walter J. McBeth; Scribe, David F. Melville; Keeper of 
Tribute, Joseph M. Hollander; Captain, Henry H. Meyers; Guide, George 
M. Nimon ; Physician, Dr. B. M. Bartilson. 

The present officers are: Chief, Robert J. Kinter; Judge, Samuel 
R. Raer; Teacher, William E. Phillips; Scribe, T. H. Whittaker; Keeper of 
Tribute, George W. Kutscher; Captain, Edward F. Mickey; Guide, Daniel 
Harris; Physicians, Dr. B. M. Bartilson, and S. R. Mills. 

Zivena Beneficial Slovak Society Branch No. 34 was organized May 
17, 1896, with the following members: Helen Dzmura, Julia Gimesky, Mary 
Lesso, Mary Sedlak, Mary Novak, Carrie Pustinger, Mary Malby, Mary 
Sinetana, Elizabeth Varga, Anna Spirko, Anna Matias, Mary Galla and 
Anna Gajdos. 

The first officers were Helen Dzmura, President ; Mary Lesso, Sec- 
retary; Julia Gimesky, Treasurer; Mary Sedlak, Financial Secretary. 

The present officers are: Mrs. Mary Parlak, President; Mrs. Eliza- 
beth Cibula, Vice President; Mrs. Ludmila Rehak, Secretary; Mrs. Susie 
Sklenar, Financial Secretary; and Mrs. Mary Havir, Treasurer. 

Greek Catholic Union, St. Ann's Society No. 108, was organized 
December 20, 1896, with 51 charter members and the following officers: 
Helen Dzmura, President; Anna Hrenyo, Financial Secretary; and Anna 
Gynrik, Treasurer. 

The present officers are: Mary Leyko, President; Mary Sokol, 
Recording Secretary; Agnes Verosky, Financial Secretary and Anna 
Dzmura, Treasurer. 



264 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

Branch No. 47 of the Slovak Evangelical Union was organized Feb- 
ruary 30, 1898 by the following: Stephan Cop, George Vargo, Michael 
Novotny, Andrew Damankos, Michael Damankos and Michael Sedori. 

The first officers were : Stephan Cop, President ; Michael Damankos, 
Secretary ; Andrew Damankos, Financial Secretary ; George Varga, 
Treasurer. 

The present officers are: George Marton, President; Alois Cibula, 
Secretary; Matej Hadbavny, Financial Secretary; George Galla, Treasur- 
er. 

Finest of Wheat Court of Calanthea, No. 163, was organized March 
22, 1898, with the following members: Mr. C. 0. Hawkins, Mrs. Mary 
Tombs, Mary Scott, Joseph Scott, Sadie Jackson, Katie Boone, Thena Yates, 
Thos. Yates, Lourenia Hawkins, John Tombs, Alvenra Roy, Pattie Kizer. 

The present officers are: Mrs. Fannie L. Nevels, W. I.; Mrs. Lillie 
Gipson, W. In.; Mrs. Bettie Richerson, W. 0.; Mrs. Janie Ashly, R. of 
D.; Mrs. Clara Hanston, R. of A.; Mrs. Havenia Norris, R. of D.; Mrs. 
Fannie Maloy, S. D.; Mrs. Pollie Seimes, J. D.; Mrs. Louise Gaehright, 
W. E. ; Mrs. Mary Hariston, W. C. ; Mrs. Jackson Blackburn, J. D. ; Mrs. 
W. H. Norris, W. H. & P. ; Mrs. Mary Jones, W. Trustee. 

Lillie of the Valley, H. H. of Ruth No. 1334, was instituted April 
11, 1898, with the following members: Annie Christian, Mollie Wayne, 
Nellie Williams, Barbara Anderson, Patrick Holmes, Fannie Fletcher, Al- 
venya Roy, Janie Roy, Moses King, James Florence, Jackson Crawford, 
Mary Jones, Alice Reed. 

The following are the present officers: Ada Dear, M. N. G. ; Clara 
Pyrear, P. M. N. G. ; Elizabeth Pyrear, W. N. G. ; M. L. C. Norris, N. G. ; 
Sadie Jackson, W. K. ; Nellie Williams, W. Treasurer; Mamie Brown, W. P.; 
Mamie Washington, W. N. ; Mary Meright, R. S. ; May Wilson, L. S. ; Mol- 
lie Barton, R. S. L. ; Annie Christian, L. S. S. 

North Star Lodge No. 2, of the International Order of Good Temp- 
lars, was instituted and given the number 107 under the jurisdiction of 
Pennsylvania and Delaware and District Lodge Number 3, on the 24th 
day of June 1900, by the District Chief Templar, Carl Thebon. 

Upon petition from the Swedish-speaking lodges in District No. 
3, permission was given to form a Swedish district lodge. The Swedish 
District Lodge No. 3, Jr., was instituted November 30, 1901. In Septem- 
ber 1912, upon petition from the Swedish speaking lodges under the jur- 
isdiction of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and Delaware, permission was 
given to form a separate Swedish Grand Lodge. The new Grand Lodge 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 265 

was chartered and named, 'The Pennsylvania Scandanavian Grand Lodge', 
having Pennsylvania and Delaware under its jurisdiction. New charters 
being issued, the North Star Lodge became number 2 and the District 
Lodge No. 3 Jr., became District Lodge No. 1. 

The first officers were: Gust Gronland, Chief Templar; John R. 
Nelson, Vice Templar; Jenny Gronland, Supt. of Juvenile Work; Otto 
Sthal, Chaplain; Conrad Hultgreen, Secretary; Axel Broman, Assistant 
Secretary; Fritz Wahlgren, Financial Secretary; Hanna Westlund, Treasur- 
er; Lina Wahlgrun, Marshal; Chas. Hultgreen, Deputy Marshal; Algot 
Johnson, Guard; Sigfrid Hamilton, Sentinel; Oscar Edstrom, Past Chief 
Templar; and Oscar Westlund, Deputy G. C. T. 

At present the officers are: George Johnson, Chief Templar; Julia 
Axelson, Vice Templar; Maria Wallin, Supt. of Juvenile Work; Oscar Ed- 
strom, Chaplain; Fabian Axelson, Secretary; J. V. B.jorling, Asst. Secre- 
tary; Andrew Wilson, Financial Secretary; Olaf Lindberg, Treasurer; 
Hulda Peterson, Marshal; Edvin Johnson, Deputy Marshal; Conrad Hult- 
gren, Guard; Robt. G. Karlsson, Sentinel; Gust. Hammarstrom, Past Chief 
Templar; John R. Nelson, Dep. G. T. C. 

Platform of the International Order of Good Templars. 

1. Total abstinence from all intoxicating liquors as a beverage. 

2. No license in any form under any circumstances, for the sale 
of liquors to be used as a beverage. 

3. The absolute prohibition of the manufacture, importation and 
sale of intoxicating liquors for such purposes; prohibition by the will of 
the people expressed in due form of law with the penalties deserved for a 
crime of such enormity. 

4. The creation of a healthy public opinion upon the subject by the 
active dissemination of the truth in all the modes known to enlightened 
philanthropy. 

5. The election of good honest men to make and administer the 
laws. 

6. Persistence in efforts to save individuals and communities from 
so dreadful a scourge, against all forms of opposition and difficulties until 
our success is complete and universal. 

Braddock Lodge No. 516, Independent Order B'nai B'rith, was in- 
stituted on September 8, 1901, with the following Charter Members: Leo- 
pold Newman, Herman Hochstetter, Morris Rosenbloom, Leo A. Katz, L. 
J. Goldsmith, H. H. Meyers, Herman Koenig, Louis Schmidt, Dr. L. G. 
Rubenstein, Simon Spatz, S. Schoemann, S. Meyers, Julius Hoechstetter, 



266 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

Louis Bachman, Herman Arnowitz, Ferd Newman, Samuel Levi, Joseph 
M. Steinetz, I. W. Simons. 

The following were elected to office on date of Institution: Presi- 
dent, Leopold Newman; Vice President, Dr. L. G. Rubenstein; Monitor, 
Louis Schmidt; Secretary, I. W. Simons; Treasurer, Leo A. Katz. 

The present officers are as follows: President, Morris Adler; Vice 
President, Bennett Zeff; Monitor, J. M. Steinetz; Recording Secretary, 
Henry S. Sulzbacher; Financial Secretary, Sigmund Schoemann; Treasur- 
er, Charles Klein; Assistant Monitor, Morriss Weiss; Warden, Herman 
Berliner; Guardian, Julius Schmidt; Trustees, Simon Spatz, Sigmund 
Schoemann, Hermann Arnowitz. 

Braddock Lodge is part of District Number Three, which comprises 
the States of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New Jersey, and Delaware; it 
maintains an Orphanage and Home for Friendless Children, located near 
Erie, Pennsylvania, on Ninety-five (95) acres of land; the buildings being 
on the Cottage system. 

John the Baptist Branch No. 92 of the Slovak Evangelical Union 
was organized June 5, 1902 with the following officers and members: 
Mathew Bednar, President; George Suran, Vice President; John Durisek, 
Secretary; Martin Holly, Financial Secretary; Stephan Klimek, Treasurer; 
Paul Babek, John Klimek, John Hnupa, George Babek, Thomas Foltin, 
Samuel Brusko, John Vicik, John Kuric, Paul Pavelka, Paul Gabriel, John 
Bednar, John Ilencik, Stephan Kravarik, Adam Mahalik, Paul Turan, 
Stephan Duga, John Galla, John Gajdos. 

The present officers are: Paul Shnatka, President; Michael Piecky, 
Vice President ; John Tomka, Financial Secretary ; Stephan Duris-Findak, 
Treasurer. 

Sons and Daughters of Liberty was instituted June 27, 1902, with 
the following charter members: A. H. List, Q. A. Griffith, Mamie A. Ben- 
son, Anna Matchet. 

The first officers were: John W. Johnson, Councilor; Minnie Ber- 
thold, Secretary ; I. E. Griffith, Financial Secretary ; G. C. Taylor, Treasur- 
er. 

The present officers are: Alice E. Welshouse, Councilor; Daisy E. 
Barnhart, Secretary ; J. D. Malady, Financial Secretary ; Mamie A. Benson, 
Treasurer; Hannah Simpson, Asso. C; Amanda Frye, Guide; Mary Muir, 
0. Guard; Phoebe Bathorst, Inner Guard; Mae Moneres, Vice C. and 
Elizabeth Kirkpatrick, A. V. C. 

Ladies Auxiliary of Independent Order of B'nai B'rith was institu- 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 267 

ted on January 15, 1903, with the following members: Mrs. Max Altman, 
Mrs. Herman Amshel, Mrs. Louis Schmidt, Mrs. H. H. Meyers, Mrs. Louis 
Goldsmith, Mrs. Leo Katz, Mrs. Louis Sulzbacher, Mrs. Mat Levy, Miss 
Cards Goldsmith, Mrs. Lee Newman, Miss Daisy Rosenbloom, Mrs. Jacob 
Blattner, Mrs. Louis Bachman, Miss Pauline Blum, Julia Brown, Mrs. J. 
K. Fisher, Mrs. H. Friedberg. 

The first officers were: President, Mrs. Lee Newman; Vice Pres- 
ident, Mrs. Harry Friedberg; Treasurer, Mrs. Joe Lubic; Secretary, Mrs. 
Daisy Rosenbloom. 

The present officers are : President, Mrs. Hattie Meyers ; Vice Pres- 
ident, Mrs. Wm. Gershuny; Secretary, Mrs. Samuel J. Beedeman; Treasur- 
er, Mrs. Mat Levy ; Chairman of Relief, Mrs. Lena Hechtman and Chairman 
of Membership, Mrs. Mildred Fisher. 

Braddock Lodge No. 833, Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, 
was instituted in Turner Hall, November 19, 1903, with a membership 
of eighty-one (81). 

The instituting officers were: D. D. G. Exalted Ruler F. T. Mc- 
Allister, assisted by P. D. D. G. E. R. Chas. W. Ashley (deceased) of Home- 
stead Lodge, and Elks of prominence from all the lodges of Western Penn- 
sylvania. 

The first regular meeting was held in Braznell Hall, November 27, 
1903 with Exalted Ruler T. G. Aten, presiding, assisted by the following 
corps of officers: W. B. Connelly, Esteemed Leading Knight; E. D. Nu- 
gent, Esteemed Loyal Knight; L. L. Todd, Esteemed Lecturing Knight; 
C. H. Sheets, Tiler; R. S. Maggini, Esquire ; John L. Colmery, Inner Guard; 
Thos. L. Larimer, Outer Guard; Rev. J. A. Burgoon, Chaplain; J. L. Daugh- 
erty, Organist. 

The present officers are: H. H. Keller, Exalted Ruler; Jas. L. Quinn, 
Esteemed Leading Knight; Joseph A. Bumbera, Esteemed Loyal Knight; 
E. J. Spigelmire, Esteemed Lecturing Knight ; Frank McCallen, Secretary ; 
Will Sullivan, Treasurer; Philip Roderus, Tyler; Peter G. Canfield, Esquire; 
Thos. J. McCarthy, Inner Guard ; John A. Lancaster, Chaplain ; L. F. Holtz- 
man, Fred C. Lou, Thos. E. O'Conner, M. J. Nugent, Samuel Markle and 
John J. Keller, Trusteees. 

Capt. W. R. Jones Camp, No. 218, Penna. Division, Sons of Vet- 
erans, U. S. A. 

This camp was mustered in March 19, 1904, by Past Commander 
W. R. Wilhide of Camp No. 162, assisted by the officers of Camp No. :'>•"> 
of Allegheny. 



268 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

Among those present were the following members of Major A. M. 
Harper Post 181, Grand Army of the Republic of Braddock, Pennsylvania: 
William Bennet, A. L. Corovance, W. A. Thompson, H. B. Rigby, Joseph 
Steele, G. E. Dean, John Oskin, Sr., H. J. Shamlee, Jac. Hanns, Robert H. 
Holmes, Joseph Cruikshank, Charles Hugo, Sr., Henry Frank, W. J. Red- 
man. 

The charter members of this Camp were: 

M. F. Oates, 0. P. Benson, J. T. Hillman, G. Redman, J. H. Sherman, 
C. McCauley, F. D. Eifley, J. L. Alexander, G. Shearer, W. L. Burress, J. 
C. Hugo, I. J. Parsons, J. W. Milliken, C. Oates, A. H. Cargo, A. J. Fisher, 
I. D. Berlin, J. Oskin, Jr., W. F. Woomer, G. A. Thompson, W. Griffith, 
P. J. Qualey, S. Q. Berlin, W. Shea, J. Q. Davis, R. C. Warner, H. G. Hart, 
G. S. Jones, C. S. Burres, A. W. Eifey, E. J. Griffith, John Spangler. 

From whom the following officers were chosen: Commander, I. J. 
Parson; Senior Vice Commander, Michael Oates; Junior Vice Commander, 
W. E. Griffith; Camp Council, J. W. Milliken, John Q. Davis, A. J. Fisher- 
First Sergeant, A. H. Cargo ; Quarter Master Sergeant, 0. P. Benson ; Chap- 
lain, Arthur J. Fisher; Sergeant of Guard, J. Q. Davis; Corporal of Guard, 
S. Q. Berlin; Color Sergeant, P. J. Qualey; Camp Guard, Charles Jackson; 
Picket Guard, G. W. Thompson ; Principal Musician, Charles Burriss. 

The present officers are : Commander, Lee H. Gibson ; Senior Vice 
Commander, John T. Bennett, Sr. ; Junior Vice Commander, John T. Ben- 
nett, Jr.; Patriotic Instructor, Thos H. Snowwhite; Secretary, J. Raymond 
Hunter; Treasurer, Ira T. Berlin; Chaplain, George H. Gardner; Color 
Bearer, H. L. Wagner, Sr. ; Guide, Harry Jones ; Inside Guard, Paul Jones ; 
Outside Guard, Walton Parks; Principal Musician, Robert Bennett; Camp 
Council, George H. Gardner, T. H. Snowwhite, Paul Jones. 

Knights of Columbus, Braddock Council No. 911, was organized 
November 27, 1904, with forty-seven (47) Charter Members. The follow- 
ing men occupied the offices when the Council was instituted: John A. 
Loew, Grand Knight; Edward C. Finnin, Deputy Grand Knight; Thomas 
J. Tierney, Chancellor; John T. Finnin, Financial Secretary; Joseph Trons- 
berg, Jr., Recorder; M. J. McBride, Treasurer; Chas. C. Miller, Lecturer; 
Frank A. Riley, Advocate ; William Kennan, Warden ; John S. Sheekey, In- 
side Guard; Philip J. Sweeney, Outside Guard; Peter Fey, Frank X. 
Spitzer and Geo. V. Milligan, Trustees. 

The present officers are: Eugene J. Munhall, Grand Knight; William 
J. Gilmartin, Deputy Grand Knight; John R. McMullen, Chancellor; John 
W. Ryan, Financial Secretary; Victor G. Wise, Recorder; Frank J. Shuster, 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 269 

Warden; John T. Finnin, Treasurer; Patrick J. O'Connell, Lecturer; 
Thomas F. Dougherty, Advocate; James J. Donovan, Inside Guard; James 
Leech, Outside Guard; Jacob A. Mohr, George Huber and Charles P. Par- 
rish, Trustees. 

Braddock Aerie, Fraternal Order of Eagles, was instituted June 23, 
1905, with fifty (50) Charter Members. P. A. Killeen was the first Worthy 
President, P. K. Flannery, Past Worthy President; B. K. Barkman, Secre- 
tary and John F. Nugent, Treasurer. 

The present officers are: Thos. A. McDonough, Worthy President; 
John W. Kilburn, Worthy Secretary; J. J. McCarth, Treasurer and Dr. 
F. K. Whitfield, Physician. 

Guards of St. Anthony, Branch No. 821, Polish Na'tl. All., was 
organized on September 10, 1905, through the efforts of Alex Walewski, 
Walter Malczewski, and Toney Pater. The Charter was signed by the fol- 
lowing: Alex Walewski, Walter Malczewski, Toney Pater, John Kosakouski, 
Frank Russczyk, Joseph Stick, Frank Lemanski, Boleslaw Ksiezopolski, 
Leon Podowski, Karl Skarlinski, Leopold Roman, Jan Lucilowski, Tony 
Pokrzywnicki, Boleslaw Kocmirowski. 

The first officers were: Alex Malewski, President; Walter Malozew- 
ski, Financial Secretary; Walter Pater, Treasurer; Military Officers, Tony 
Pater, Major; Alex Malewski, Captain. 

The officers at present are : Leon Padowski, President ; Walter 
Malczewski, Financial Secretary ; Stanislaw Kolski, Treasurer. Military 
Officer, Boleslaw Drzewinski, Captain. 

"Bethesda" Branch No. 6 of the Evangelical Slovak Ladies Union 
was organized January 21, 1906 with the following charter members: 
Elizabeth Valiska, Louisa Balent, Mary Gajdos, Elizabeth Demcak, Mary 
Cop, Sr., Susie Koren, Sr., Mary Mally, Anna Daniel, Barbara Paukuch, 
Anna Vagasky, Anna Balent, Susie Havian, Susie Portik, Mary Bobak, 
Bessie Boor, Anna Galla, Kattie Vdoviak, Mary Liska. 

The first officers were: Bessie Boor, President; Mary Gajdos, Sec- 
retary ; Louisa Balent, Financial Secretary ; Anna Daniel, Treasurer. 

At present the officers are: Mrs. Mary Sedlak, President; Miss 
Anna Gajdos, Secretary; Mrs. Louisa Balent, Financial Secretary; Mrs. Bes- 
sie Molnar, Treasurer. 

Iron City Lodge No. 3 of Independent Order of Sons of David 
was organized June 11, 1907, with the following Charter Members: 
Eleck Steiner, Isadore Stanlight, Henry Shermer, F. H. Swartz, Charles 
Kohot, J. M. Steinetz, Ralph Swartz, Julius L. Zelmonovitz, Adolph Kline, 



270 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

Lowis A. Lebowitz, Joseph Shaffel, Lowis Schafer, Armole Steinetz, Mor- 
ris Lefkowitz, Mossen Yossen, Moses Feldman, Lowiz Kline, Meyer Kline, 
Jacob Swartz, Samuel Markle, William Katz, Bernard Rosenberg and Philip 
Young. From whom the following were elected: J. M. Steinetz, Ex-Pres- 
ident; Henry Shermer, President; Eleck Stanlight, Vice President; F. H. 
Swartz, Secretary; and William Katz, Treasurer. 

The officers at present are: Isadore Ecker, President; Martin Sil- 
ber, Vice President; J. M. Steinetz, Recording Secretary; Julius L. Zelman- 
ovitz, Financial Secretary, and Max Lazear, Treasurer. 

Loyal Order of Moose, Braddock Lodge No. 57, was instituted Oct. 
7, 1908, with the following officers: John S. Nichols, Past Worthy Dictator; 
J. Edgar Little, Worthy Dictator; Horace G. Read, Vice Worthy Dictator; 
R. G. Ranwolf , Prelate ; A. L. Erwin, Sgt. at Arms ; H. W. Peters, Inner 
Guard ; Bernard Altman, Outer Guard; James L. Sheekey, George H. House, 
Samuel Pringle, Trustees; Charles J. Carr, Secretary; George D. Stroup, 
Treasurer. 

The present officers are:Wm. E. Miller, P. W. D.; Francl Woolford, 
W. D. ; Louis F. Shearer, Vice D. ; Win. Allbeck, Prelate ; Andrew Kress, 
Outside Guard ; John J. Lawler, Inside Guard ; John P. Ruhley, Alvin Flick 
and F. H. Johnson, Trustees; Thos. Chambers, Treasurer; Charles J. Carr, 
Secretary. 

Modern Woodmen of American, Camp No. 13413, was instituted 
Nov. 6, 1908, with the following officers: G. S. Jones, Consul; A. A. Schil- 
ling, Adviser; A. McCabe, Banker; R. C. Jones, Clerk. The present officers 
are: L. L. Jones, Consul; C. W. Reader, Past Consul; J. W. Boehm, Adviser; 
H. A. Burkhart, Banker; 0. R. Wilson, Clerk. 

St. Joseph's Society No. 449, Polish Roman Catholic Union, was in- 
stituted in 1908, with the following officers: Blasius Rodak, Francis Zy- 
grnunt, John Dziadosz, Karl Vcoski, Jacob Pytka. 

The present officers are: Ladislav Panek, President; Stanley Glod, 
Vice President; Stanley Lesniak, Secretary; and Karl Vcoski, Treasurer. 

Independent Order St. Luke, Barton Union Council No. 694, was or- 
ganized in 1908, with fifty-six (56) charter members. 

The first officers were: Bertha Howard, W. Chief; Naomi Fleeks, 
V. Chief; Isaac S. Medlig, W. R. Secretary; Agnes Morris, Financial Sec- 
retary; Sadie White, W. Treasurer; Cora Bilhipo, Sr. Cond. ; Kitty Jordan, 
Jun Cond. ; John Carter, W. Advocate ; Lucy Turner, Inside Sentinel ; Mary 
Taylor, Outside Sentinel ; Polly Sims, Keeper Wardrobe ; George King, W. 
Chaplain; Alice Banks, W. Mother. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 271 

The present officers are: Bertha Howard, Degree Chief; Martha 
Murphy, W. Chief; Anna Brown, V. Chief; Naomi Brown, R. S. and Fin. 
Secretary; James Kidd, W. Treasurer; Namomi Washington, W. Chaplain; 
Sarah Holmes, Sr. Conductor; Sarah Christian, Jr. Conductor; Cora Bil- 
hipo, Inside Sentinel; Annie Lewis, Outside Sentinel; Mary Lee, Keeper 
Wardrobe; Adaline Brown, W. Mother. 

Roman and Greek Catholic Slovak Brotherhood of Western Penn- 
sylvania, under the patronage of Saint George, was organized April 18, 
1909. 

The following Committee was appointed to have the organization 
incorporated, Stephan Miklusko, John Tomas, Stephan Leskovsky, Joseph 
Bodnar, Paul J. Jablowsky, Joseph Palchak, M. G. Pivovarnik, M. S. Ondrej, 
L. J. Kraly, George Kovalyik, John Lukac, Andy Palencar, Steve Ondrej, 
Andrew Basala, John Kovaly, George Palfy. 

The first Supreme Officers were : Joseph Palchak, President ; 
George M. Kalock, Vice President; M. G. Pivovarnik, Secretary; Ladislaus 
J. Kraly, Financial Secretary; Michael S. Ondrej, Treasurer; Joseph Bod- 
nar, Stephan Miklusko, John Tomas, Stephan Ondrej and Andrew Palen- 
car, Trustees. 

The present Supreme Officers are: Rev. George D. Barlock, Chap- 
lain, Ellsworth, Pa.; John Tompos, President, Braddock, Pa.; Andrew 
Minarcak, Vice President, Duquesne, Pa. ; Anna Soboslay, Vice President, 
Duquesne, Pa. ; Andrew S. Hayden, Rec. Secy., Braddock, Pa. ; Ladislaus 
J. Kraly, Financial Secretary, Braddock, Pa.; Joseph J. Semes, Treasurer, 
Braddock, Pa. The Trustees are: Michael Bendik, Chairman of Auditors, 
Duquesne, Pa. ; Adam Vleek, Donora, Pa. ; Anna Straka, Braddock, Pa. ; 
Zuzanna Lukac, Duquesne, Pa. ; Andrew Mikalik, Woodlawn, Pa. ; Rev. A. 
Kazincy is President and Emery Mamrak, Secretary of the Literary Com- 
mittee. 

The members of the Supreme Court are: George Eidely, President, 
Donora; Ella L. Broszo, Braddock; Mary Popovic, Donora; George Fedor, 
Trafford ; Michael Pocatko, Rankin ; John Kozusko, Unity Station ; Katy 
Macko, Rankin. 

The Roman and Greek Catholic Slovak Brotherhood consists of thir- 
ty-eight (38) Branches, twenty-seven (27) of which are in Allegheny 
County, four (4) in Westmoreland County, four (4) in Washing-ton Coun- 
ty, one (1) in Beaver County, one (1) in Mercer County and one (1) in 
Cambria County. 



272 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

St. John Society, Branch No. 1, Roman and Greek Catholic Slovak 
Brotherhood, was organized May 1909, with the following officers: Stephan 
N. Pollak, President ; Stephan Leskoosky, Vice President ; John Kovaly, 
Secretary; John Lukac, Financial Secretary; Joseph Bodnar, Treasurer; 
John Tomas, Andrew Basala, Trustees; Stephan Hornak, Flag Bearer; 
Mike Papay, Guard. 

The present officers are : Ladislaus J. Kraly, President ; John Tomas, 
Vice President; John Kovaly, Secretary; George Jurko, Financial Secre- 
tary ; Andrew Basala, Treasurer ; Joseph Barbus, George Kraly, Trustees ; 
Joseph Qhelka, Collector of Dues ; Mike Papay, George Simchak, Committee 
of Sick ; John Zajac, Captain. 

The Polish American Citizen Club, was chartered September 30, 
1910. The object of this organization is to teach the Poles how to become 
American Citizens. 

The Organizers were: P. Dudek, A. Krzyzosak, P. Kanarkowski, 
W. Ulanowicz, J. Stick, St. Ulanowicz, F. Zygmunt, J. Bosinski, M. Joz- 
wiak. 

The first officers were : P. Dudek, President ; K. Szczesmy, Secretary ; 
P. Kanorkowski, Treasurer. 

The present officers are : Koz. Stankiewicz, President ; St. Mandela, 
Vice President; S. A. Kolski, Secretary; P. Kanarkowski, Treasurer; John 
Polanski and F. Szulc, Directors. 

Ladies Auxiliary A. 0. H., was instituted May 16, 1912, by Mrs. 
Louisa Donovan. 

The first officers were: Mrs. Louisa Donovan, President; Mrs. 
Anna Conohan, Recording Secretary ; Miss Rose McNeil, Financial Sec- 
retary ; Miss Louis Kelly, Treasurer. 

The present officers are: Mrs. Margaret M. Keefe, President; Mrs. 
Mary Kennedy, Vice President; Mrs. Clara Niles, Recording Secretary; 
Mrs. Anna G. Durgan, Financial Secretary; Mrs. Mary Miller, Treasurer. 

The Sending of the Holy Ghost, Branch No. 73, of the Evangelical 
Slovak Union was organized May 19, 1912, with the assistance of Michael 
Hudak and Martin D. Findak. Following are the officers and charter 
members: Anna Hudak, President; Sophie Mako, Financial Secretary; 
Anna Vydareny, Secretary; Susie Sako, Treasurer; Anna Kostelny, Anna 
Rubansky, Anna Bicijan, Anna Matusik, Susie Ochodnicky, Anna Remias, 
Elizabeth Balya, Katie Klimek, Susie Kovar, Susie Hamara. 

The present officers are : Mrs. Anna Hudak, President ; Mrs. Anna 
Tomka, Secretary; Mrs. Eva Duris-Findak, Financial Secretary; Mrs. Anna 
Strnatka, Treasurer. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 273 

Knights of St. John, Saint Marys of Mount Carmel Commandery 
No. 199, was instituted July 7, 1912, with 56 members. The following of- 
ficers were then elected: John P. Dougherty, President; John J. Hughes, 
First Vice President; Peter McKeown, Second Vice President; Henry 
P. Glenn, Recording Secretary ; Thomas F. Dougherty, Financial Secretary; 
George C. Bachhofer, Treasurer; James J. Dunn, John B. De Nardo, Pat- 
rick Cody, Daniel G. Eshman, and Michael Torch, Trustees; Michael Torch, 
Captain; Bartholomew F. Harrigan, First Lieut; Jerry Marcellus, Second 
Lieut. ; Patrick Cody, First Seargent and Frank X. O'Shea, Second Seargent. 

The present officers are: George C. Bachhofer, President; Thomas 
P. Brannigan, First Vice President; Chas. V. Weakland, Second Vice 
President ; Leo. P. Hughes, Recording Secretary ; John J. Gollogly, Finan- 
cial Seci'etary ; John P. Dougherty, Treasurer. 

Daughters of Isabella, Braddock Court No. 244, was instituted July 
19, 1914, with forty-seven (47) Charter Members from whom the follow- 
ing officers were elected: Mary Holtzman, Grand Regent; Mary O'Connell, 
Vice Regent ; Mary Stinner, Prophetess ; Clara Spitzer, Historian ; Mar- 
garet McBride, Financial Secretary; Mary Wagner, Treasurer; Mary Mor- 
gan, Monitor; Rev. Robt. McDonald, Chaplain. 

The present officers are: Mary O'Connell, Grand Regent; Helen 
Brennan, Vice Regent; Marie Escher, Prophetess; Helen Glynn, Historian; 
Gertrude Duffy, Financial Secretary ; Clara Spitzer, Treasurer ; Mary Wag- 
ner, Monitor; Mary Rutter, Sentinel; Jennie Ryan, Margaret Zorn, Ella 
Lally, Julia Gordon, Mary Larkin and Lela Ackley, Trustees ; Mae Kramer, 
Organist; Rev. Robert McDonald, Chaplain. 

Independent Order Moses Ben Amron Lodge of Braddock. 

This order was affiliated with the Independent Order of Free Sons 
of Juda of New York City until Feb. 4, 1917, when it was re-organized with 
426 Charter Members. The officers are: Bernard Swartz, President; Ben- 
nie Zeff, Vice President; Julius Zelmanovitz, Recording Secretary; J. M. 
Steinetz, Financial Secretary; Andrew Shermer, Treasurer. 

The "Daughters of the American Revolution" the largest and most 
influential patriotic society of the world, will in the near future be rep- 
resented in Braddock by a chapter to be known as the "Tonnaleuka" Chap- 
ter of D. A. R. The work of organizing is under the direction of Miss 
Florence E. Mench, "Chapter Regent." A charter membership of twenty- 
five is assured. 



FIRES AND FIRE-FIGHTERS. 

BY HARRY H. KELLY. 

The fast-swinging fire bell in the schoolhouse tower clangs brazen- 
ly, and sleepy Main Street wakes to life. 

Out from the little frame shops and offices hurry shirt-sleeved men 
carrying buckets. Up the street they run, a curious crowd tailing out be- 
hind, boys shouting and dogs barking. Past an orchard stretching away 
up the slope from the street the bucket-brigade speeds and draws up pant- 
ing before a frame cottage, the roof smoking and little tongues of flame 
licking over the shingles. From out the babble of shouts a strong man's 
voice rises : 

"Get in line, men. Clear the way, there". 

The shirt-sleeved men form a long line, one end at a well back of 
the house, the other at a ladder on which perches the tall figure of the 
man who directs them. The chain of buckets moves swiftly from hand to 
hand and up to the man on the ladder, who with rhythmic movement 
slashes the water on the burning shingles and throws the empty bucket 
over his shoulder, to be caught below as it falls. Five minutes and the fire 
is out, the wet roof still smoking. The line breaks up into little groups 
which move slowly back down the shady street towards the single string of 
stores and offices in the business section. Here and there they linger in 
amicable gossip while the owner of the house views the damaged roof. 

Once again Main street settles down to its interrupted after- 
noon nap. 

The year is 1880. The shirt-sleeved men are bucket-brigaders, 
the first fire-fighting organization in Braddock. 

The brigaders never really organized themselves into an official 
body, but judged by the standards of the time, their work was efficient. 
Once, during the fire which swept the planing mill of H. B. Grannis in 
Penn street, they saved from destruction a tiny frame house standing in 
an alley 18 feet from the blazing mill, by keeping its roof deluged with 
water from their buckets. That was the night of September 22, 1880, 
when the efforts of the brigaders reached their climax. They had fought 
many fires, most of them small ones, but a few of which caused heavy 
damage. In their early history, in 1874, they had fought the flames in the 
planing mill of Joseph B. McCune, but failed to save it. In those days, if 
the fire secured much headway, nothing could stop its progress until it 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 275 

burnt itself out. But this fact never prevented the brigaders from work- 
ing for hours, carrying buckets of water and dashing them in the face of 
the flames. 

The bucket brigade could not last. With the growth of industry 
and business following the opening of the Edgar Thomson Steel Works 
and other mills, the way was paved for a more efficient and powerful or- 
ganization. The burning of the block between John and Library streets on 
Braddock avenue in 1884 brought the need of an organized fire depart- 
ment forcibly to the attention of borough citizens. The successful com- 
pletion of the water works was also a contributing factor in the forming 
of an organized band for fighting fires. 

Thus was the Braddock Volunteer Fire Department organized. It 
was at the instigation of Isaac Mills, burgess of Braddock, that a public 
meeting was called on July 1, 1885, for the purpose of forming a volun- 
teer fire department. The preliminary plans were gone into at this meet- 
ing, but it was not until July 10, when 40 men met in the borough council 
chambers, in a two-story brick structure at 728 Braddock avenue, across 
the street from the present municipal building, that definite action was 
taken. Seventy-nine members were enrolled, and the following officers 
were elected: President, Thomas J. Dowler; Vice President, Peter 
Seewald; Secretary, Daniel J. McCarthy; Treasurer, L. F. Holtzman ; 
Trustees, George L. House, Frank L. Bridges and S. D. Hamilton. At a 
third meeting, held July 22, James Morrow was unanimously elected the 
first chief of the department, with A. H. White and Charles Upton as 
assistants, Zack Oskin, foreman of Hose Company No. 1, Thomas Britt, 
foreman of Hose Company No. 2. and Henry Fix, foreman of the hook and 
ladder truck company. The original members of the department were as 
follows: Zack Oskin, John Lawlor, Charles Arensberg, Frank Wentzel, 
Patrick Norton, James Black, John M. McKelvey, John Yinger, Patrick 
Farrell, Patrick Collins, Robert Morrow, Charles Yinger, Daniel Mc- 
Carthy, Henry Miller, Harry Lewis, John Quinn, Elmer Leech, Al James, 
James Gorham, John Kinney, William Young, J. C. Riston, T. J. Dowler, 
T. W. Sharp, Charles Upton, J. K. Fisher, Henry Fix, Samuel Frederick, 
W. A. McDevitt, James Morrow, H. T. Bruggeman, C. H. Sheets, George L. 
House, Peter Seewald, L. F. Holtzman, M. J. Dowling, Thomas Britt, L. C. 
Fritzius, Frank Lewis, W. H. Sharah, Frank L. Bridges, James Collins, 
Al H. White, C. C. Fawcett, Jacob Katz, James Martin, George R. Fauset, 
Oscar Dart, George F. House, Washington Lewis, H. C. Teeter, V. C. 
Knorr, James McCarthy, Mart Flannigan, George Oskin. Jr., Walter 



276 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



Brown, William Monroe, S. D. Hamilton, Frank Shilling, Fred Opperman, 
John Mangion, P. McCaulley, James H. Bennett, J. G. Seibert, John Dono- 
van, Patrick Hughes, William H. Miller, Conrad Schilling, George Hoff- 
man, James Dowling, Alfred Carr, J. M. Yarlett, Fdward Oskin, Jr., R. 
E. Spear, A. Dorritz, Samuel Shearer, D. G. Fisher, H. H. Bair and James 
Phillips. In addition to these, sixty-seven others, whose names are as 
follows, were added to fill vacancies and to increase the department mem- 
bership: William Yarlett, David Masters, D. Z. Musselman, William 
Lapsley, Charles Gourley, W. T. Oskin, Frank Harrop, W. L. Sechler, Al- 
bert Oskin, Robert Redman, Frank Redman, Mark L. Kulp, Albert Speidel, 
Joshua McCune, W. A. McCune, Denny Dowling, Mell F. Riley, George N. 
Riley, H. C. Teeter, George Dowler, John Little, Dr. E. 0. Anderson, C. 




BRADDOCK FIRE DEPARTMENT AND MUNICIPAL BUILDING, lull. 
Luft t<. Right John W. M..iiis. Chas. D. Barthold, Geo. C. Spangler, and Chief T. K. Martin. 

H. Clifford, George W. Day, Dr. E. W. Dean, William Howat, Sr., H. C. 
Shallenberger, D. L. Miller, A. P. Maggini, A. M. Carlins, John Dinges, 
E. J. Smail, J. M. Hurley, Adam Appel, George B. Gibson, Fritz Tegethoff, 
Neal McGinley, John Griffin, Christ Thier, James Purcell, Harry Farr, 
John Sechler, William Connors, Joseph Riston, William Wymard, Philip 
Roderus, Jacob Walters, Harry Fleck, Thomas G. Aten, Samuel G. Owens, 
William C. McAdams, Wilson Packer, E. M. Brackemeyer, Andrew Mer- 
cer, George W. Kutscher, D. M. Kier, Thomas Ward, W. W. McCleary, 
William Lang, Wash Wentzel, A. B. Price, E. J. Haram, E. S. Bracken, 
John Dick, Rob A. Hart, John Howard and P. A. Gillen. 

A chemical tank, which in action proved something of a failure, 
was the first piece of equipment to take the place of the buckets of the 
early fire-fighters. One of the first acts of the new volunteer department 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 277 

was to purchase a two-wheeled hose reel, a four-wheeled hose reel and a 
four-wheeled hook-and-ladder wagon. This apparatus, all drawn by hand, 
was housed in a frame addition to the old municipal building. The re- 
moval of the department in 1892 to a frame building across the street, 
situated on property purchased by the borough shortly before and which 
is now the site of the present municipal building, marked the summit of 
achievement for the volunteer firemen, but it was also the beginning of 
the end for them. 

The department had now been organized seven years, and had 
reached a high level of efficiency. The whistle on the water-works at the 
river bank called out a force of trained fire-fighters whose flying feet car- 
ried them in record time to the scene of fire. The department had become 
one of the centers of the town's activities. An annual ball in winter and a 
picnic at Kenney's grove in the summer attracted more than local atten- 
tion. The department numbered many of the most prominent business 
and professional men. It was the hey-day of the volunteer force. 

There are no fires now like the old ones, the surviving members 
of the Braddock volunteers lament. They tell of the Joseph Wolf fire on 
July 31, 1890, which started at Twelfth street and Washington avenue 
and destroyed forty houses, entailing a loss estimated in those days of 
low values at $75,000. On January 8 of the same year the Grannis planning 
mill had again been swept by fire, with $15,000 damage. Old members 
tell of their return one rainy evening from a picnic at Idlewild in West- 
moreland county, to be met by the sound of the fire whistle and to turn in 
and work all night in efforts to save the Protestant Episcopal church in 
Sixth street and neighboring buildings. Disastrous fires at the Eli Dowler 
planing mill and the Dawes Manufacturing Company's plant, and scores 
of smaller blazes, were fought during the ten years of the company's 
existence. 

But the period of popularity and power was fleeting. Soon after 
the removal of the firemen's headquarters across Braddock avenue, two 
horses were purchased — innocent cause of the ultimate dismemberment 
of the company. A four-wheeled hose-reel, the pride of the department, 
was donated by H. C. Frick of Pittsburgh, prominent steel and iron 
manufacturer. This necessitated a driver and caretaker who would spend 
all his time in the service of the department. Upon his selection the fire- 
men divided. There were too many candidates for the job, and with the 
election of Oliver McMichaels as the first paid driver, the dissension 
among the members grew to alarming proportions. After that, it was 



278 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 




only a matter of time until the department would be made a part of the 
borough government, with paid employes. 

This was the action taken by the Braddock borough council on June 
3, 1895, when the first paid fire department in Braddock was created with 
a membership of six. The department now employs twelve men. Its 
equipment now consists of two motor-trucks, which supplanted the last 
horse-drawn apparatus, the hose-reel donated by H. C. Frick and an 
aerial-ladder truck. The volunteer department's activities automatically 
ceased with the formation of the paid department. It was never officially 
disbanded, and remains in existence as an organization today, although 
the members have not met for more than a score of years. 

Almost simultaneously with the 
termination of the Braddock volunteer 
department, an organization modelled 
along the same lines was formed in 
Rankin. One hundred and fifty bor- 
ough citizens met in the schoolhouse 
September 26, 1895, and organized the 
Rankin Volunteer Fire Department, 
which is still active and which remains 
the only fire-fighting force in the bor- 
ough. The names of 100 men presented 
for membership were accepted; most of these have continued in the or- 
ganization ever since, and the total membership at present is 90. The 
first officers were Jess Ulingsworth, President; E. F. McBride, first vice 
president; Axel Allison, second vice president; C. B. Guttridge, secretary; 

Thomas Watkins, treasurer; William 
Sullivan, chief: A. M. Parker, fore- 
man hose cart No. 1, and James 
Nash, foreman hose cart No. 2. The 
department owns an auto truck, two 
fire horses having been sold in 1916, 
and employs a paid driver. 

The North Braddock Volun- 
teer Fire Department was formed in 
north braddock firemen's champion 1899 bv the following men, who acted 

RACING TEAM. 

'":!'i h s';:i;';': caS Eo, " Abe '' christy ' Ste,v ' as the first officers: President, 

Middle Row Evertts, Graham. ur t tt ~ * " i i- Tir 

ro,. Row j„ne 5 . McKinnoy. b. Kurt. l. Kurt. W. J. Vance ; vice president, W. 

Kramer, H. Kurtz. Doiin, Smith, Lun«en. _ . 

Boon. Haftey, McDonald. R. W. Sterner ; secretary, John F. 



RANKIN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

Left to Riiiht — Lewis Alshouse, assistant chief : 
David Frederick, driver; Jas. Hughes, Elmer 
Walters. R. S. Guttridge, Theodore Tierney. 
Daniel Eshman, Benjamin Remlinger, and 
Thomas Ludwig. 




The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



279 



Lowers; treasurer, Joseph L. Campbell, Sr. ; chief, Clement S. 
Newton; member of by-law committee, J. 0. Jones. The other 
members of the department at that time were Lee L. Hayden and 
James Maxwell. Following the division of the borough into three 
wards, the department was separated into three companies, each housed 
in its own building. The one auto truck owned by the department, 
stationed in the central station in the municipal building, Second 
ward, answers all calls in the borough and covers a district almost as 
large as any other three boroughs combined in Western Pennsylvania. 
As in Rankin, the truckdrivers are the only paid members of the de- 
partment. North Braddock firemen have won numerous trophies and 
championship cups with racing teams and other crack organizations at 
the annual firemen's conventions. 

One of the first men to take an interest in the Braddock Volunteer 
Fire Department was William H. Sharah, who was one of the original mem- 
bers. He was the first president of the Western Pennsylvania Fireman's 
Association, organized in 1894, and has been its secretary for 21 years. 
He was president of the State Firemen's Association in 1894, and is a 
member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. He was born in 
Port Perry March 24, 1863, and resides at present at 218 Sixth street, 
Braddock. 

None of the local fire depart- 
ments have ever lost a man while fight- 
ing fires. 

The fire departments in the bor- 
oughs have grown far beyond their 
original limits. Braddock avenue is no 
longer a dirt road, covered thick in sum- 
mer with slack brought from the coal 
mines back in the hills. The firemen have 1913— punxsutawney convention. 




i-.- 1 ,-, , ■ • nell. J. J. McDonou-.'h, J. C. Jones, and Daniel 

political power. Only memories remain j. M cCue. 

of the picnics and balls, the merry-makers ferrying across the Mononga- 
hela river or making impressive entries on horseback and in buggies into 
town on cold winter nights. In Braddock at least, the romance has gone 
forever from the stern business of fighting fires. 



WOMAN'S ACHIEVEMENTS. 

BY MRS. SAMUEL HAMILTON. 

"Everything in the world depends on woman." 
"The history of woman is the history of the world." 

All over the world a change is taking place in the social position of 
woman. It is not merely the question of political standing — which like 
prohibition is almost decided — for every sensible person today in our 
country is quite willing to grant that woman is certainly entitled to vote; 
but it is rather as an essential agency in all social and civic betterment 
that this change is most noticeable. Woman's vote is here in a score of 
states and coming tomorrow in all the rest. Woman has ever been a sub- 
ject of great and absorbing interest — a problem, a mystery — to man. She 
has been a great factor in events of the past both good and bad, great and 
small ; and she will be a greater factor in the future. She has been dis- 
cussed more than any other subject in the world. 

How then would it be possible to give a complete history of Brad- 
dock for the past one hundred seventy-five years without a chapter de- 
voted to the influence and work of woman ! She certainly was man's help- 
mate in the beginning for that first settler, John Frazier, would never 
have remained on his tract of land at the mouth of Turtle Creek in 1742 
had it not been for Nelly, his bright and happy wife. It was she who en- 
couraged him to remain among the red people instead of returning to Le- 
high Valley whence he came. It was she who shared his toil and helped 
to make the wilderness blossom like the rose. 

After his cabin was built, her task was to keep the hearth-fire 
bright, the home comfortable and to encourage John when his body was 
tired and his spirits low with the hard toil of the day. Her task was to 
mould the hearts and lives and shape the character of her little children. 
Such a task you will agree is the greatest task in the world on account of 
its far-reaching importance. Transcendently it is above everything in the 
universe. 

Since our topic is woman, we will speak only of the daughters of 
this pioneer family. Nancy and Marie under the guidance of such a 
worthy mother were instructed in the arts of sewing, spinning, knitting, 
dairy-matters and kitchen concerns. Each was possessed of much per- 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 281 

sonal beauty and both were singularly intellectual for those times, having 
been taught by the wise and learned Tonnaleuka. 

So beautiful and attractive was Marie that Dame Rumor says 
that Washington, stopping to rest at the Frazier cottage on his way to 
Fort Le Bouf, became so enamored of the fair maiden, that some months 
later he returned, capitulated, and laid his — heart at her feet. Talk about 
achievements! was there ever a greater than this? 

HOME. 
After six decades the Frazier family has disappeared. In 1804 
Isaac Mills with his family settled in this region, soon followed by others. 
In 1852-54 the settlement had more rapid growth and for years woman's 
influence was felt chiefly in the home. Emerson says, "Men are what 
their mothers make them", and the mothers of these older inhabitants 
were anxious, earnest, hard-working, self-sacrificing women who were 
desirous of having their children succeed in life. Wait until we reach the 
eternal mountains then read the mothers' names in God's hall of fame and 
see how many have come from the old town of Braddock. 

"The bravest battle that ever was fought, 

Shall I tell you where and when ? 
On the maps of the world you'll find it not 

'Twas fought by the mothers of men. 

Nay not with cannon or battle shot, 

With sword or noble pen, 
Nay not with eloquent word or thought 

From mouths of wonderful men. 

But deep in a walled up woman's heart 

Of woman that would not yield. 
But bravely, silently bore her part — 

Lo, there is the battle field. 

No marshalling troops, no bivouac song, 

No banner to gleam and wave; 
But oh! these battles, they last so long, 

From babyhood to the grave." 

CHURCH. 

In 1857 the churches began to rise slowly, very slowly, one after 
another, until today Braddock is known as the "City of Churches," hav- 
ing no less than forty-four. These church edifices, built mostly of brick 
and stone with heavenward-pointing spires are monuments, silent yet 
eloquent monuments, to the perseverance and energy of the earnest 
women workers of the congregations. 

Each brick and stone and spire, had it a tongue, would cry out in 
trumpet-like tones and triumphantly testify to the desperation, and per- 



282 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

spiration with which that anxious, zealous, and over-worked body of 
women known in church circles as "The Ladies' Aid" had toiled in their 
behalf. Oh! companions in industry. Think of the sewings, quiltings, 
concerts, oratorios, musicals, bazaars, suppers, dinners, festivals, lawn- 
fetes, rummage sales, etc., etc.! Think of the ducks and geese plucked, 
the turkeys and chickens beheaded. Think of the bread, pies, cakes, 
puddings, waffles, cranberries, slaw, fried oysters and what not consumed ! 
Has the Medical Association ever awakened to the real cause of 
Braddock's need for a hospital? Oh, "Ladies' Aid"! A paragraph or a 
page would never do justice to your long and zealous labors. It would 
take the pen of an Elliot or a DeStael and a volume the size of a Webster's 
Unabridged Dictionary to hold a dissertation sufficiently long to extol in 
proper manner your works. 

"We've put a grand addition on the good old church at home, 

It's just the latest kilter, with a gallery and dome, 

It seats a thousand people, the finest in all the town. 

And when 'twas dedicated, why we planked ten thousand down; 

That is, we paid five thousand, every deacon did his best, 

And the Ladies' Aid Society, it promised all the rest. 

They'll give a hundred sociables, cantatas, too, and teas, 

They'll bake a thousand angel cakes and tons of cream they'll freeze; 

They'll beg and scrape and toil and sweat, for seven years or more, 

And they'll start all over again for a carpet on the floor. 

No it isn't just like digging out the money from your vest, 

When the Ladies' Aid gets busy and says, 'We'll pay the rest.' 

Of course we're proud of our big church from pulpit up to spire, 

It is the darling of our eyes, the crown of our desire; 

But when I see the sisters work to raise the cash that lacks, 

I somehow feel that the church is built on women's tired backs, 

And sometimes I can't help thinking, when we reach the region blest, 

That men will get the toil and sweat and the Ladies' Aid the rest." 

Aside from helping to erect churches and keep them in repair, the 
women of Braddock have always been interested in other lines of Christian 
work, as both the Home and Foreign Missionary Societies will testify. 
Neither time nor space permits of a description of the work done by these 
societies. 

It is sufficient to say that the work in Braddock is far-reaching 
and varied. Christ said, "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gos- 
pel", and the women of Braddock churches are endeavoring through these 
organizations to do their part in spreading the Gospel of Christ. 

There can be no greater achievement on earth than to do the will 
of the blessed Master and surely the members of these organizations will 
hear the words "Well done" for their glad and faithful services in His 
vineyard. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 283 

SCHOOLS. 

In 1867 the first school building was located in what is now the 
First Ward, Braddock, and since that time women have been employed 
chiefly as teachers. Starting' with a faculty of but two teachers — Miss 
Margaret B. Bell and Miss Eliza J. Mills — Braddock, North Braddock 
and Rankin have at the present time a corps of one hundred and ninety- 
three teachers, all but thirteen of whom are women. 

It is only about one hundred years since the girls in Massachusetts 
were sitting on the school house steps listening to their more favored 
brothers drone their lessons. Later they were allowed to take the boys' 
places in the school while the latter were needed in gathering in the har- 
vest. But what a marvelous change has taken place in the education of 
woman in that time ! 

Who now sneers at the intellect of woman? Who laughs at a blue 
stocking? Who denies the insight, the superior tact, the genius of woman ? 
What schools are better kept than those taught by woman? Today as 
a teacher she holds the very first place in all the agencies that make for the 
betterment of Braddock. 

"It is her duty to impart useful knowledge, to train mind and 
soul and body, to impart pure ideas and high ideals of manhood and 
womanhood, to transform a mass of untrained children, many of 
whom are the offspring of a long line of untrained parents, into a 
nation of men and women able physically, mentally and morally, not 
only to recognize the deep responsibility of citizenship, but also to 
contribute their share toward furthering the development of home, 
of country, and of civilization." 

That the teachers of Braddock and North Braddock are performing 
this work nobly and successfully in the midst of such a heterogeneous 
people is an assured fact. Their task is a hard one, but they receive the 
gratitude of a grateful people. Their reward is mainly in a full realiza- 
tion of a great work well done. To be the superintendent of a great in- 
dustry, or the president of a large bank or corporation is a great achieve- 
ment, but to be a live, capable teacher is to be a real benefactor of man- 
kind! 

W. C. T. U. 
To walk the streets of Braddock and count the saloons and whole- 
sale liquor houses at the present day one would not think that this fair 
city until 1878 had been free from the influence of liquor. 

When the great steel mill was planted at the head of Thirteenth 



284 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

Street, Braddock, it brought with its prosperity man's curse, woman's 
enemy and the children's educator in vice and crime — the saloon. 
The plea of the saloon is well stated in the following stanza: 

"Wanted, some bright boys, full of cheer, 

To stand at my counter as drinkers of beer, 

To fill up the ranks without further delay 

Of the army of drunkards passing- away. 

A hundred thousand a year will just supply 

The loss to our trade from the drunkards who die." 

A noted evangelist has said, "The saloon is the sum of all villianies. 
It is worse than war or pestilence. It is the crime of crimes. It is the 
parent of crimes and the mother of sins. It is the appalling source of 
misery and crime in the land and the principal cause of its crime. It is 
the source of three-fourths of its crime and of course it is the source of 
three-fourths of the taxes to support that crime." 

The mission of the saloon is to fill the jails, penitentiaries, insane 
asylums and other charitable institutions with human derelicts. 

Who has to pay the bills? The landlord who does not get the rent 
because the money goes for whiskey; the butcher, the baker, the grocer, 
and the charitable persons who take pity on the children of drunkards 
and the tax-payer who supports the insane asylums and the poor-houses, 
that the whiskey business keeps full of human wrecks. 

In these days when the question of saloon or no saloon is at the 
fore in almost every community the mind returns to a nation-wide or- 
ganization known as the W. C. T. U., which had its origin in the great 
temperance crusade in 1874, and had, yes, still has a very earnest band of 
workers in Braddock. 

There are a few of us who can remember the time when the pa- 
tient, long-suffering wives and mothers of the drunkards of this country 
assisted by their sympathizing, but more fortunate sisters, marched in 
solemn conclave, two by two, into the saloons and offered prayers to God 
for help in stopping the liquor traffic. The spirits of these brave women 
were never dampened by the water, beer and whiskey thrown upon them, 
but often, very often, by the sneers and jeers of friends ( ?) in the family 
and church. 

Our dear Francis Williard, who was national president of this 
wonderful body of women from 1879 until her death in 1898 was at the 
time of the crusade a teacher in the Methodist Female College in Pitts- 
burgh, and was first initiated into the temperance work in a crusade on 
Weiss's saloon on Market Street, Pittsburgh. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 285 

The W. C. T. U. is today the largest society of women in the world 
managed and controlled by them and having in the United States alone 
in 1916 a paying membership of 445,000. 

The badge of the society is a bow of white ribbon — the motto is, 
"For God and Home and Native Land". The trysting hour is at noon 
when white-ribboners all over the world lift their hearts in prayer that 
God will bless the temperance cause. Today a glance at "the wet and the 
dry" map of the United States shows that an all-wise God hears that 
prayer and is answering it. A wonderful illustration of prayer answered ! 
In 1874 the task seemed so large, so dark, so hopeless, so improb- 
able. Today almost accomplished. 

Braddock's branch of the W. C. T. U. was organized in the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church December (i, 1881, and was composed of the fol- 
lowing women : 

Mrs. Arvilla Harrop Mrs. Keziah Boli 

Mrs. Sarah Bowman Mrs. Helen Soles 

Mrs. Elmira Scritchfield Mrs. J. T. Riley 

Mrs. Virginia Riston Mrs. E. Robinson 

Mrs. Sue G. Kulp Mrs. Ellen Jones 

Mrs. Mark Bennett Mrs. S. Reynolds 

Mrs. Flora Lewis Mrs. Joseph McCune 

Mrs. Rachel Clay Miss Eliza Mills 

Mrs. Kate Treese Miss S. Parker 

Miss Eliza Henning Miss R. Stephens 

Miss B. Sharp Miss A. Seddon 

Miss 0. Bryan Mrs. W. Murdough 

Mrs. G. Sherwin Miss Sue Lytle 

Meetings were held in Braddock's first bank building at the head 
of Tenth Street and Braddock Avenue. 

Mrs. J. F. Riley, Mrs. E. Robinson, Mrs. Joseph McCune were the 
first three presidents in order named. Mrs. S. Bowman and Mrs. Rachel 
Clay were secretaries. Mrs. Arvilla Harrop was the treasurer. The first 
state convention was held in Pittsburgh December 15, 1881. 

This body of women working under great, very great difficulties, 
received very little recognition from the Braddock people. At that time 
the cause for which they were working seemed a losing one. Being in 
sore straits for funds, a committee composed of Mrs. Harrop, Mrs. Clay 
and Mrs. Bowman called upon Mr. Thomas Carnegie to ask his assistance. 



286 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

"A friend in need is a friend indeed." He proved this friend by giving: 
them $300 at this time. Later he sent them $200, telling them to call 
upon him whenever they were in need. This they did many times over, 
and in his death they lost a very loyal friend. 

What can be said of the work of these women? "By their works, 
ye shall know them." In the pursuance of the "Do Everything" policy, 
these women sewed for, and clothed the poor, made naked by King Al- 
cohol ; fed the hungry, made so by the same cause; nursed the sick and 
housed the homeless. They carried petitions year after year, against 
licensing liquor houses. Oh, the need of woman suffrage ! In 1889, 
thinking to get the people awakened to the importance of temperance, 
they brought Francis Murphy to the town for a six weeks' campaign, and 
at its close The Blue Ribbon Society had control of the temperance work 
in the town. 

In 1909 the W. C. T. U. comes again to the front in the temperance 
work. Re-organized through the efforts of Mrs. Bowersox and Rev. Quick, 
it now has a membership of sixty women from all the church denomina- 
tions. 

President — Mrs. Donaldson 

Secretary — Mrs. Zuerner 

Corresponding Secretary — Mrs. Speer 

Treasurer — Mrs. Holden 

These women visit the sick and crippled throughout the town and 
hold religious services on Saturday afternoon in the Braddock Hospital. 
They assist in the maintenance of the "Providence Rescue Home" on 
Mount Washington — a very worthy institution. Temperance literature to 
the amount of 3,000 pages a month has been circulated by them and they 
have just furnished a room in the new hospital at a cost of $100. These 
worthy women are constantly doing deeds of kindness and acts of mercy 
too numerous to mention, proving themselves worthy active members of 
the great W. C. T. U. 

Have the women working in the cause of temperance throughout 
the nation achieved anything worth while? One glance at the map on 
the following page answers the question. 

Remember "In union, there is strength". This valiant band of 
organized women press zealously forward. Each branch, supplying its 
quota of good work for the temperance cause : knowing that "Love beareth 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



287 




all things; believeth all things; hopeth all things; endureth all things;" 
and that if they continue in their good works, the great annalist of the 
future dipping her pen in the sunlight of humanity and love shall write 
in the clear blue side-by-side with the name of this great and glorious 
nation one word— SALOONLESS. 



A SALOONLESS NATION, IN 1920. 

'Twas an inspiration of divine creation, 

When the Christian throng decreed. 
That this boon of heaven, unto mortals given. 

Be from liquor's bondage freed, 
That this land of plenty be in nine-teen-twenty, 

In the name of Christ our King, 
A saloonless nation, it's a proclamation, 

Hear the joyful millions sing. 

G. A. R. HOME. 

On the north side of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Hawkins Sta- 
tion stands a large commodious building known as the G. A. R. Home. 
This Home was erected and dedicated to the indigent mothers, wives, 
sisters and daughters of the honorably dismissed soldiers of the Grand 
Army of the Republic by the women of the G. A. R. 

This valuable property has from its erection been a quiet and in- 
viting refuge for the helpless, bereft, or decrepit women whose claim for 
admission has been the relationship held to a veteran of the Civil War. 
The Home was founded with the express desire to prevent the descendent 



288 The I'n written History of Braddock's Field. 

of a soldier's family from ever crossing the threshold of an almshouse in 
this nation which was ransomed by their blood. 

In 1890 the Stahl Homestead at Hawkins was purchased for the 
nominal sum of $9,500. It was furnished and equipped, and on June 28, 
1890 was dedicated with imposing ceremonies. Immediately it was used 
for the purpose intended — a haven of rest. On Thanksgiving Day, No- 
vember 28, 1890 five soldiers' widows and one soldier's mother (four of 
whom were from the Allegheny County Poor House) ate their Thanksgiv- 
ing dinner in this Home as guests of the women of the G. A. R. With 
growing demands the institution has been enlarged and improved until 
now it houses one hundred ten inmates and is valued at $75,000. 

To the women of the G. A. R., and particularly to those of Major 
A. M. Harper Circle No. 4 of Braddock, and to Mrs. Elmira Scritchfield, 
Mrs. Sue Kulp, and Mrs. Ella Soles may be ascribed the credit of seeing 
this laudable movement launched and carried to its consummation. The 
work of the Braddock Circle is strenuous and is ever on the increase, since 
only a small membership remains from the long list of early years. The 
needs of the Home are a life work for this small band of earnest workers. 

Annually these women have conducted a supper on the lawn of the 
Home at which from 500 to 600 people are fed on provisions donated 
from Braddock homes entirely. The solicitation of this food and the giv- 
ing of the dinner demand not only energy but forethought and executive 
ability on the part of the members of this Circle. Through their efforts 
a donation of food is received each year from Braddock, North Brad- 
dock and Rankin schools. All goes for the maintenance of the Home and 
is a wonderful help. 

The foregoing does not show the limitation of work done by the 
Circle. This band of women knows no limitation in its line of service. 
A cry for help is never unheeded ; whether it be for a basket of groceries, 
or days and nights of strenuous activity in dire disaster or smaller aids 
in kindness and sympathy. 

Achievements! This home stands an eloquent monument to the en- 
terprise as well as womanly patriotism of this band of willing workers who 
conceived the idea and carried out its consummation. To the women of 
the G. A. R. and to the Braddock women in particular we pay grateful 
tribute for upholding the honor of this patriotic order and perpetuating 
its memory in such an institution. 

WOMAN'S CLUB. 

In 1894, a few years after the Carnegie Library had been built, two 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 289 

townswomen, Mrs. A. B. Stevenson and Mrs. A. W. Schooley, in conver- 
sation as to the benefit of the library to the community bethought them- 
selves that a woman's club in connection with the same might prove not 
only a benefit to women, but indirectly one to the town. 

At their suggestion, Mrs. Edwin Anderson, wife of the librarian, 
called a meeting at her home on North Avenue for the purpose of organ- 
izing a literary club for the women of Braddock. 

On February 12, 1894, the following women met in the parlors of 
Mrs. Anderson's home and organized a club which after twenty-three 
years still lives and is known as the Woman's Club of Braddock. 
Charter Members : 

Mrs. Edwin Anderson Mrs. James Gayley 

Mrs. A. B. Stevenson Mrs W. Morrow 

Mrs. A. W. Schooley Mrs. W. Lapsley 

Mrs. Adah Preusse Mrs. A. M. Scott 

Mrs. Richard Stevens Mrs. R. M. Holland 

Miss Louisa Addenbrook Miss Maggie Lukens 

Miss Minnie Dinkey Miss Elizabeth Corey 

Mrs. A. J. Spigelmire 
At a second meeting held in the home of Mrs. Adah Preusse on 
Holland Avenue a constitution and by-laws were adopted, a program for 
study selected and the following officers elected : 
President, Mrs. Edwin Anderson 
Vice President, Mrs. James Gayley 
Secretary, Miss Louisa Addenbrook 
Treasurer, Mrs. A. J. Spigelmire 

This club, being the only literary club in the Monongahela Valley 
for several years, grew in size, admitting members from Turtle Creek, 
Edgewood, and Wilkinsburg, and the interest aroused in the study of 
good literature cannot be over-estimated. "Give a person this taste and 
the means of gratifying it, and you can hardly fail of making him a happy 
person. You place him in contact with the best society in every period of 
history, with the wisest, the wittiest, the tenderest, the bravest and the 
purest characters which have adorned humanity." 

One day during each club year was known as "Visitors' Day". 
Each member was permitted one guest and a varied and delightful pro- 
gram was rendered followed by a social hour. As other clubs began to 
organize in the neighboring towns, the officers of these clubs were also 
invited and thus the meeting grew in size and importance. 



290 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

The Club joined the State Federation in 1899 and the National 
Body in 1900. Delegates to these conventions always returned with en- 
thusiastic reports of civic work which was being accomplished in various 
parts of the state and this aroused the members of the Woman's Club to 
the fact that a purely literary club is more or less a selfish one benefitting 
the members and their friends only, and that a true civic spirit inculcated 
into the same would make it of greater benefit to the community. 

On one memorable "Visitors' Day" the entire membership of the 
neighboring clubs was entertained in Carnegie Library and from this 
meeting arose an organization known as "The Federated Clubs of the 
Monongahela Valley". (1900) This Federation was entertained by one 
of the sister clubs each year; a general program was presented and civic 
affairs were freely planned and discussed. This organization grew in size 
and importance, and, when "The Congress of Clubs of Western Penn- 
sylvania" was formed in Pittsburgh, "The Federated Clubs of the Monon- 
gahela Valley" disbanded in its favor, but the civic spirit it had fostered 
grew, and what is more conducive to good in a community than a true 
civic spirit? 

No adequate idea can be given of the work that is being done by 
clubs, and societies of women — scholarships established, hospital beds en- 
dowed, traveling libraries started, sewing and cooking schools maintained, 
day-nurseries supported, schoolrooms decorated, nurses supplied to the 
poor, playgrounds established, clean-up days organized, birds cared for, 
yard improvement encouraged, all, all for the betterment of the communi- 
ty; for intellectual and moral growth — not one for graft. 

When Braddock was laid out (if it ever was, one thinks from the 

look of it that it just "growed") no thought was ever given to parks or 

breathing spots for the poor of the congested districts. The yards are 

small where there are yards and we are sorry to say there are sections 

where there are no yards. Playgrounds, therefore, are very necessary in a 

city like Braddock. His Satanic Majesty is just as busy today as ever in 

finding mischief for idle hands to do. Play is a safe guard against crime; 

therefore the children should be given places in which to romp and play. 

GIVE THEM A PLACE TO PLAY ! 

"Plenty of room for dives and dens (glitter and glare and sin!), 
Plenty of room for prison pens (gather the criminals in!), 
Plenty of room for jails and courts (willing enough to pay!) 
But never a place for the lads to race; no., never a place to play. 

Plenty of room for shops and stores (Mammon must have the best!), 
Plenty of room for the running sores that rot in the city's breast! 
Plenty of room for the lures that lead the hearts of our youth astray, 
But never a cent on a playground spent; no, never a place to play! 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 291 

Plenty of room for schools and halls, plenty of room for art; 

Plenty of room for teas and balls, platform, stage, and mart. 

Proud is the city — she finds a place for many a fad today, 

But she's more than blind if she fails to find a place for the boys to play! 

Give them a chance for innocent sport, give them a chance for fun — 
Better a playground plot than a court and a jail when the harm is done! 
Give them a chance — if you stint them now, tomorrow you'll have to pay 
A larger bill for a darker ill, so give them a place to play!" 

In 1909 the Woman's Club decided that the children of the town 
should have a public playground. The public was aroused to the need 
through the press, but playgrounds cost money ; and alas ! no open-hearted, 
open-handed philanthropist appeared. The women cast about them, but 
there was neither a Hetty Green nor a Mrs. Russell Sage in their midst. 
Recalling that Goethe says "Energy will do anything that can be done in 
the world", they girded their loins and started forth to secure the play- 
grounds. 

A little button bearing the sweet face of an unkempt child and the 
words, "Wanted — a playground" was the scheme adopted. 'Twas only a 
button — a little button ! But it was truly wonderful the way in which 
that sweet face crept into the hearts of the people and the way in which 
the buttons appeared upon their coats signifying their sympathy with the 
movement. Under the guidance of the teachers, thousands of these but- 
tons disappeared in the hands of the school children. The playground idea 
appealed to them. Where is the child who does not love to play? 

At the close of the button campaign, the shekels were counted. 
Lo! there were five hundred and thirty-five dollars — almost enough to 
equip and run a playground for the summer. An entertainment given by 
Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright in Carnegie Hall netted $100. Each member of 
the Woman's Club subscribed five dollars and the following donations 
were solicited: 

Sand.. ...Carnegie Steel Co. 

Sand Boxes Braddock Lumber Co. 

McBride Lumber Co. 

Swings Mrs. Allen Kirkpatrick 

Balls Rodents and Klaban 

Baskets Katz and Goldsmith 

Thus fortified the women hired a superintendent and two as- 
sistant teachers and for six weeks six hundred children played to their 
hearts' content under the supervision of these trained teachers and the 
club women, upon the grounds of the First Ward School in Braddock. 
That was real labor for the club women, but they closed with the determi- 



292 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

nation to have two playgrounds the following summer. Playgrounds had 
come to stay. 

"Still humanity grows dearer 
Being learned the more." 

The next summer (1910) the Club took care of two playgrounds — 
one in North Braddock and one in Braddock; in 1911, two in North Brad- 
dock and two in Braddock ; in 1912, two in North Braddock and two in 
Braddock; in 1913, three in North Braddock and two in Braddock. Please 
take notice that the movement, like Topsy, just naturally "growed". 

Now there are two important questions : — How much did the play- 
grounds cost? Where did the Club get the money? The cost in money 
was $2,391.47. The cost in physical strength, in mental labor and in time 
cannot be estimated. The members of the Club gave freely of all. The 
civic committee, which was composed of Mrs. Vankirk, Mrs. Ida Morgan, 
Mrs. A. M. Scott deserves great praise for its earnest and exhaustive 
labors. 

Where did the money come from? Buttons, entertainments and 
personal contributions were the sources of wealth. The School Boards 
worked side-by-side with the women and rendered splendid financial as- 
sistance. 

• At the close of 1913, the Club felt that the work of development 
was finished, that they had succeeded in awakening the people and the 
Boards of Education in both boroughs to the importance and necessity 
of the playground activities and that the time was now ripe to hand it 
over to the School Boards, where the whole movement properly belonged. 
The Boards accepted the trust and have taken excellent care of the move- 
ment. The Club, however, shall always be proud of its child and wish it 
long life and prosperity. 

"Clean-Up Day" was the next thing attempted by the women. 
"Free Ride to the Dump" drew the usual crowd. The way those Brad- 
dock alleys and cellars belched forth their germ-laden contents was truly 
appalling. The City Fathers had consented to haul the rubbish free of 
charge and it took weeks and weeks to do it. Cost? The cost of play- 
grounds is but a trifle in comparison. 

The Woman's Club has ever been mindful of the hospital and its 
needs. For years it had donated $10 for Christmas decorations and has 
helped with decorative work. In 1917 they donated $367 to furnish the 
maternity ward and expect in the future to undertake the up-keep of the 
same. These things have been done and many others planned for Brad- 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 293 

dock's welfare by this band of optimistic workers. Blessed optimism! 
that amid all the short-comings of human nature sees the best, lifts souls 
upward and helps to make the world sunny by its singing : 

"When a bit of sunshine hits ye, 

Glancing sidewise from a cloud; 
When a bit of laughter gits ye, 

And your spine is feelin' proud, 
Don't forget to up and fling it 

At a soul that's feelin' blue 
For the minute that you sling it, 

It's a boomerang to you". 

Captain Jack Crawford's conclusion is correct. The optimism that cheers 
others onward and upward is always a boomerang of blessing and help- 
fulness to the individual who embodies it. 

This is an age of clubs — clubs for the rich; clubs for the poor; 
clubs for pleasure; clubs for profit. Some clubs are a blessing to a com- 
munity; others are a curse. Some are are a hindrance; some are a help. 
For the Woman's Club of Braddock, there is but praise. Its doctrine is 
to help, not to hurt humanity. It's not a printed, but a living gospel — the 
art of right living. Can there be greater achievement than this? 

"They talk about a woman's sphere as though it had a limit 

There's not a place in earth or heaven 

There's not a task to mankind given, 
There's not a blessing or a woe, 
There's not a whisper yes or no, 

There's not a life or birth, 

That has a feather's weight of worth, 
Without a woman in it". 

"Sow good services; sweet remembrances will grow from them." 

— Madam DeStael. 
BRADDOCK HOSPITAL. 

While we will concede to man the credit of first suggesting a hos- 
pital in Braddock, we will have to maintain that without the enterprise, 
courage, indomnitable will, and persistent energy of the Braddock women, 
it would now be a thing unknown. 

Mrs. Thomas James, Mrs. Scritchfield and Mrs. Treese were the 
trio of our town's women to whom credit must be given for taking the 
preliminary steps in organizing the work for the Braddock Hospital. 

From the pulpits of the various Braddock churches went forth a 
call that all women interested in a hospital movement should meet at the 
home of Mrs. Thomas James, Parker Avenue, October 15, 1894. 

At this meeting the enterprise was fully discussed and it was de- 
cided to have a hospital. A second meeting was called at the home of 
Mrs. James October 21, 1894. At this meeting a society known as the 



294 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

Braddock Hospital Association was formed, and the following officers 
were elected : 

President, Mrs. Jennie Lapsley, 
Secretary, Mrs. Rachel Clay, 
Treasurer, Mrs. Al Maggenni, 
Financial Secretary, Mrs. A. W. Schooley. 

A charter was applied for and received through the kindness of 
the late Major R. E. Stewart. This charter reposes today in the new safe 
in the Braddock General Hospital and bears the following names in mute 
testimony of their good works : 

Florence Murto Bell Jennie Scott Lapsley 

Gertrude Roberts Carothers Kate W. Treese 

Mary K. Collingwood Mary J. Holtzman 

Elmira Scritchfield Margaret Kramer 

Elizabeth James Susan C. Kulp 

Mary M. Schooley Margaret Bell Scott 

Virginia Riston Kate Mclllfried 

Caroline Markle Stewart 
"So shines a good deed in a naughty world". 

After the organization, there came the struggle for existence. The 

women discussed ways and means whereby they could earn enough money 

to build and equip a hospital where the men injured in the mills could be 

properly and quickly cared for. 

"When pain and anguish rive the brow, 
A ministering angel thou ". 

Hundreds of Braddock women were interested and for a time all 
went well. Everyone was anxious and willing to work. The first effort — 
a bazaar in Turner's Hall — netted the sum of $4,500. Entertainments of 
various kinds — concerts, waffle-suppers, lectures, lawn-fetes — followed 
each other in rapid succession until the ladies had in hand the sum of 
$10,000, no mean sum, but only a drop in the bucket to buy a building 
and equip it as an up-to-date hospital. Interest in the scheme began to 
wane. One by one the enthusiasts dropped off until a faithful nine re- 
mained — Mesdames Schooley, Scritchfield, Kulp, James, Newman, Kelley, 
King, Steinmetz and Treese. 

Rumors were abroad that the undertaking was too gigantic, that 
the town would never be able to care for it and that the money on hand 
had better be used for another purpose, but these faithful few said, "No! 
we will keep the money for the purpose intended". 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 295 

They selected the following officers: 

President, Mrs. Schooley, 

Vice President, Mrs. Scritchfield, 

Secretary, Mrs. Kulp, 

Treasurer, Mrs. James. 
For nine years this little Gideon band met regularly once a month in the 
parlors of Mrs. Schooley, transacted what little business there was, kept 
the money well invested and so managed to keep the little spark of love for 
maimed and unfortunate humanity still burning. 

"Persistency! thy name is woman." 

About 1903 the Braddock Medical Association awoke to the fact 
that Braddock was sorely in need of a hospital and while they had been 
dreaming, their sisters were clad in armor and forth to the fight 
had gone. Realizing as never before that a place in the ranks awaited 
them, and in fact awaited every man in Braddock, if the desired 
object was to be obtained, they succeeded in getting the Board of Com- 
merce to throw off its lethargy and together they started in pursuit of 
their more progressive sisters and by forced marches were able to over- 
take them. 

A committee called upon the women to see what agreement could 
be made and learned that the women would very gladly co-operate, provid- 
ing the men would donate an equal sum of money to the cause and give 
the women representation on the Board of Managers of the hospital. 

Three committees were appointed for the purpose of adjusting 
matters : 

Braddock Hospital Association — Mesdames James, Schooley, 
Scritchfield, Newman and Kelley. 

Braddock Medical Association — Doctors Morgan, Nicholls, Miller, 
Rubenstein and Fisher. 

Board of Commerce — Messrs. George Hogg, George Moore, D. F. 
Collingwood, L. A. Katz and H. J. Learn. 

As a result of the meeting of these committees the Braddock Hos- 
pital Association disappeared and the Braddock General Hospital As- 
sociation was born with a Board of Managers consisting of fifteen peo- 
ple, five of whom were women. 

When the Braddock Hospital Association was disbanded, the mem- 
bers organized into an Auxilliary to the board of managers of Braddock 
General Hospital in order to continue their work and to place their five 
members each year as co-workers on the board of managers. 



296 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

At the time the building was equipped, the members of this Aux- 
iliary worked two or three days each week under the direction of Miss 
Weir, Superintendent of the Hospital, sewing bed-fittings, muslins, gowns, 
table linen, etc. The material had been purchased from the merchants of 
the town at cost thereby saving many dollars ; it was paid for with money 
from the treasury of the Auxiliary. Aside from the work they did, the 
women of the Auxiliary have made cash donations amounting to 
$2,698.59. 

The women of Braddock have given to the hospital up to date the 
following sums: 

$11,500.00 earned by women. 
2,500.00 donated by Rachel Clay. 
2,698.59 earned by Auxiliary. 



$16,698.59 

This money so zealously kept was after many years used for the 
purpose for which it was earned — a building in which suffering humanity 
could be nursed. That building, erected on Holland Avenue, devoted to 
the care and healing of the sick, stands a monument to these few, brave, 
persistent women who "hewed to the line no matter where the chips 
fell" and remained true to their convictions — that Braddock did need and 
must have a hospital. They wish no blare of trumpets for their humane 
acts. Their work is sufficient praise. 

The entrance of woman into public life has taken place within the 
last thirty years and is gaining a momentum whose ultimate force can- 
not be prophesied. 

That she is a human being, as well as a woman, and must have du- 
ties as such toward human beings outside of her own home circle, and to- 
ward her town and community, has proved a blessing to the world, and 
has been the cause of great social reforms. 

Who first started prison reform? Elizabeth Fry. 

Who aroused the world against slavery? Harriet Beecher Stowe. 

Who led the temperance reform? Frances Williard. 

Who organized the first Women's College? Mary Lyons. 

Who was "The Angel of Crimea"? Florence Nightingale. 

Who organized the Red Cross Society? Clara Barton, etc. etc. etc. 

That she has intellectual ability as well as duties to humanity and 
that she ranks high in many of the pursuits of life are self-evident. One 
of the greatest writers in political economy since Adam Smith was a 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 297 

woman. The greatest novelist in England, since Thaceray, was a woman. 
One of the greatest writers in astronomical science was a woman. In art 
she ranks second to none, as the names of Rosa Bonheur and Harriet 
Hosmer testify. One of the greatest financiers of the twentieth century 
was a woman. Some of the ablest rulers of the world have been women, 
as the names of Elizabeth, Catharine II, and Victoria recall. 

President of this country? Why not? If for any reason at some 
future time the country finds any one woman particularly fitted to be 
President, there is no reason why she should not rule as queens have 
ruled. 

The wife of William Penn assumed the management of colonial af- 
fairs after his death, executed the task with tact and business capacity. 
Watson says, "She became in fact our governor, ruling us by her deputies 
or lieutenant governors during all the term of her children's minority." 

If women were to govern the world's affairs in place of men, it 
would without doubt in most cases be done well. 

This is an age of woman. There have been and still are great 
changes to be made in the status of woman, as this great war is going to 
show. There are great advantages to come from woman having power 
and voice in the affairs of the world. 

What other women have done Braddock women can do! There is 
not a better class of women in the world — noble, intelligent, conscientious, 
self-sacrificing, willing women, alert to the needs of the day! That woman 
has borne an equal share of the burden of Braddock's development none 
can deny ; that she leads in the progress that ennobles the life of the bor- 
ough all must admit ; that her great interest in her home and its youth and 
the moral welfare of her city will produce giant strides in social uplift in 
the future, we prophesy. In a word woman is Braddock's best gift — 
"man's joy and pride in prosperity; man's support and comfort in af- 
fliction". 



THE EVOLUTION OF LOCAL BUSINESS. 

BY CHARLES ROSE. (1) 

At the very beginning of this article, we wish to state clearly that 
its purpose is purely historical, and consequently has absolutely no ad- 
vertising object connected with it. Since the history of any community's 
commercial development is largely the story of the various business en- 
terprises of its residents, many names of individuals and firms, must neces- 
sarily be mentioned. Quite likely many names that ought to be here are 
omitted because of lack of space, as well as lack of definite data concern- 
ing them. Furthermore, the stores spoken of are not discussed because 
they are or were certain stores, but because their appearance in or disap- 
pearance from the district indicates to a degree the evolving necessities and 
changed or changing demands and requirements of the trading public, much 
as a barometer evidences the varying conditions of the atmosphere. 

To find the beginning of business in this district, we must go back 
to the middle of the eighteenth century, when some adventurous traders 
made their way over dangerous trails from Philadelphia to the westward 
of the Alleghanies, to trade with the Indians. As the red men, becoming 
dependent upon civilization, grew accustomed to certain articles furnished 
by the itinerant merchants and as more settlers moved into the district, 
it became apparent to the astute traders that a permanent trading post 
might be profitably established. The French had early chosen the junc- 
tion point of the Monongahela, Allegheny, and Ohio rivers as an advantage- 
ous business as well as military position. After the French and English 
territorial disputes had been settled, more of these posts were placed at 
what were regarded as likely places. Most of these frontier stores were 
fairly well fortified in case some undesirable customers on the war path 
appeared, their frescoed countenances fairly equaling the most striking- 
facial effects accomplished by our modern devotees of the paint pot, and 
making their presence known by a noise somewhat resembling the circus 
calliope. These undignfied and unprofitable interviews with the redskins 
occurred about as frequently in the early days as automobile bandit hold- 
ups occur now, but the gradual increase in population made them, after a 
while, a matter of history. 



(1) Mr. Rose, the longest time merchant now doing business in Braddock, fur- 
nished much of the material for this chapter from early reminiscences. The story was 
written by Wm. J. Aiken, Esq., and Mr. Geo. H. Lamb. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 299 

Besides the early trading post at Pittsburgh, another was located 
at the mouth of Turtle Creek on the Monongahela River, near old Port 
Perry, the exact point being now covered by railroad yards incident to the 
Edgar Thomson Steel Works. Another held forth further up the river 
near where Brownsville is today. The post at Port Perry and the post 
at Pittsburgh were the centers of trade for this immediate valley. For 
many years the town of Port Perry, on account of the commercial impetus 
given it by this early trading post, as well as on account of its superior 
location to the neighboring villages, kept most of the business. As late 
as 1820, people for many miles around went either to Pittsburgh or to 
Port Perry to do their marketing. The settlers in Braddock's Field, the 
settlers across the river and from all directions, bought their salt, sugar, 
tea, coffee, gun-powder, tobacco, and nails at Port Perry. 

Twenty-five years before the Civil War, Braddock's Field was a 
country village straggling along the township road parallel with the river. 
The houses of the village, for the most part, were located near the road. 
The land between the road and the river was mostly swampy, but when 
drained, made good farm soil. It was fertile, furnished good pasturage 
for cattle, and made several orchards famous for their excellent fruit. 
North of the road, the land sloped upward to the large farms that spread 
over the hills. By 1845, these farms were noticeably smaller in area and 
houses were more numerous. The hillsides soon became dotted with dwel- 
lings and the dusty township road, forming the main street in the village 
below, now and then took on an active business air. As the village grew, 
more highways were necessary to accomodate the growing population and 
those who could make their living in town built their houses in more or less 
regular order upon certain fairly well defined streets, and the one time 
farmers began to lay out plans of lots. By the time recruiting began for 
the Rebellion, Braddock had acquired the appearance of a prospering town 
and contained enough people to support a diversified class of stores. The 
township road then and long afterwards called Main Street, now known 
as Braddock Avenue, has remained the principal business thoroughfare. 
Most of the stores were located between what are now Ninth and Eighth 
Streets. Very few were successful above Ninth and any located much be- 
low Eighth were regarded as too far out of town. No stores had ap- 
peared amongst the scattered dwellings on the hills, and Copeland was 
still in the country. 

Like all country towns, Braddock's first store was of that general 
type where the farmer lad could bring a few dozen of eggs, some butter, 



300 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

a load of potatoes, or some corn, and either receive cash in exchange or 
trade for anything from a pocket knife, a whetstone, or a pound of sugar, 
to a suit of clothes. While the salesman, who was also proprietor, as 
well as political prophet of the community, was weighing out the sugar, 
his customer might slip into the back room where the heavy scales and 
numerous barrels were kept, and there try on a pair of jeans. The village 
belle, whose tastes in fashion could not be satisfied with the conservative 
calicoes, ginghams, and roomy shoes handled in town, had to go to Pitts- 
burgh, traveling by stage-coach or by river packet, unless the family pos- 
sessed their own conveyance. 

The blacksmith shop in combination with a wagonmaking business 
was always busy, but never rushing. The ringing anvil and the flying 
sparks fascinated many a boy whose swelling ambition filled his dreams 
at night with vision of himself as a brawny bare-armed man, applying 
a hot shoe and sniffing smoke from the singeing hoof. There was no 
hurry around the shop. The farmer who had taken a load of grain to 
the packet for shipment to Pittsburgh, left his team to be shod. No hur- 
ry to get back to the farm. Besides, acquaintanceship must not suffer 
just because he did not live in the crowded town. His favorite store 
usually chosen for the reason that the members of his particular political 
party gathered there, had to be visited, or perhaps he called at the harness 
maker's shop to dicker on a set of new harness, or possibly the tavern 
attracted him. He often visited the livery stable, scenting prospects of 
disposing of a doubtful horse at a good profit. The tavern and lively 
stable were frequently combined under the same enterprising manage- 
ment, and sometimes the undertaking business was included with the 
livery. 

The barber led perhaps the easiest life in town. Those were the 
halcyon days of the grandfathers, when a grandfather was not a real 
grandfather without a flowing beard, when the young man proudly cul- 
tivated the hair on his face, and when mothers used the shears and mush 
bowl regularly every two months, except in the wintertime, upon the tops 
of their sturdy sons. Joke-picture artists in the Sunday supplements 
had not yet set the style for cutting children's hair. A barber who could 
not play a quadrille or a Virginia reel and call the figures was of little 
use to the rising village. 

It was a common sight in old Braddock to see a herd of cattle, 
a hundred head or more being driven along the road. There was a slaugh- 
terhouse near the river and in these times before the packing house was de- 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 301 

veloped every butcher dressed the meat he so!d. The meat shop storage 
room was filled with ice cut from the river in winter. It was the only bus- 
iness house that had much need of ice, but there were a number of private 
icehouses, all filled in the winter time with ice-blocks cut from the frozen 
stream. The meat supply was kept alive and killed as the demand arose so 
that very little of it was stored. Ice was needed only for preserving meat 
soon to be sold, and the supplies of salt meat did not need ice. Large quan- 
tities of salt pork cured in the old fashioned way were brought in by the 
farmers, and the butchers themselves were always in the market for hogs, 
sheep, calves, and cattle. 

As the town thrived and the opening of the coal mines increased 
commercial demands, it was apparent that the onetime village was be- 
coming firmly established as a business center. The general stores in the 
old style gradually ceased to do business and the merchants entered into 
various separate lines of trade. The following stages always mark com- 
mercial progress: first, the general store; second, the diversified stores; 
third, as the town becomes large and thriving, the last stage is marked by 
the introduction of the same idea as the general store, but called the de- 
partment store. 

About the year 1869, Braddock was well entered upon its second 
stage of business development. One evidence of this advance is the fact 
that William Rose in that year established a shoe business at the corner 
of Main and Allequippa Streets, now known as Ninth Street. He died in 
1877 and the store was run for four years by William Millick, Trustee 
for the estate of William Rose. In 1881 the present proprietor, Charles 
Rose, took charge of the business. The following prices of shoes were 
taken from an advertisement in 1887 of Charles Rose's shoe store: Babies' 
shoes, 50c; Boys' and Girls' shoes, 75c to $1.50; Men's calfskin boots, 
$2.50; Men's fine dress shoes, $2.00 to $2.50; Men's working shoes, $1.50 
to $2.00; Women's fine shoes, $2.25. It is needless to remark here in this 
year 1917 that the same goods sell at anywhere from three to five times 
the mentioned figures. 

In the month of February, 1881, Franklin Wentzel began business 
at the head of Ninth Street on Main Street and moved into his present 
location in 1887. His catering, confectionery and baking business thrived, 
showing that the demands of the population had outgrown the meager 
home necessities of the old town. A. S. Goehring was established in the 
eighties in the ice-cream business between Tenth and Eleventh Streets on 
Main Street. 



302 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



The gustatory requirements of the community are now further 
cared for by Nill's bakery, an institution of long standing, and by Ellen- 
berger's bakery, a more recent establishment. 

In passing, it is necessary to mention Ward's Cafe. This famous 
restaurant started many years ago in a place so small that it was dubbed 
the "Hole in the wall". Its present standing reminds one of Mark Twain's 
etymology of the word restaurant; taurus, a bull, and res, a thing; hence 
a bully thing. Ward's is known far and wide as the best eating place at 
moderate prices to be found anywhere — and traveling men always try 
to "make" Braddock at noon, so as to lunch here. Never closed, the rush 
between midnight and 2:00 A. M. and again at breakfast is as great as at 
the noon hour or the evening meal. Mr. Thomas Ward, the popular caterer 
who established the place and built up the trade, sold out a few years ago 
and went to California ; but his successors, Messrs. John Gaffney and 
Clark Harding, have kept the place up to the standard adopted in the be- 
ginning, and Ward's cafe is still the popular eating place, and is abundant 
proof that money can be made by serving meals without any bar or other 
side issues. Other restaurants are the Corey Avenue restaurant, and the 
Olympia, one of a chain. Some of the hotels also cater especially to the 
noon day lunch for business men. Among such are the Ebner, Butler, and 
Opperman hotels. 




THE FAMOUS. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 303 

The firm of Katz & Goldsmith, — composed of Leo A. Katz, born in 
Pittsburgh, Pa., 1857, and Louis J. Goldsmith, born in New York City, 
1852, — under the trade name of "The Famous", opened in Braddock at 872 
Braddock Avenue, October 12, 1881, in a store twenty by sixty feet, with 
clothing and men's furnishings. At that time Braddock had no lighting 
system or water works. The illumination was by lamp light only. The 
store was lighted by tin pipes suspended from the ceiling filled with kero- 
sene, to which wick burners with lamp chimneys were attached. It was 
considered the best lighted store in Braddock. Brackets holding lamps 
illuminated the windows. The store prospered from the start. It was 
in the early days of the Edgar Thomson Works, with monthly pay days. 
In a few years they outgrew their quarters and occupied the double store 
of the Baldridge Building at 871-873 Braddock Avenue, opposite Ninth 
Street. It was then the largest store in Braddock, with the distinction of 
having the largest plate glass windows. The business continued to pros- 
per and larger quarters were again needed and an addition was added to 
the rear. Illuminating gas had been introduced into Braddock and the 
town felt metropolitan. In a short time larger quarters were again neces- 
sary and the Kerr Arcade Building at 807-809 Braddock Avenue was se- 
cured in 1893, the year of the panic. New lines were added and the 
building was altered to meet the ever increasing trade. In 1896-1897 
new stories were added and it blossomed out as a Department Store. In 
rapid succession the Routh property on the west and the Masonic Hall As- 
sociation Building on the east were acquired and transformed to meet the 
requirements of a modern department store. In 1914 Josiah L. Goldsmith 
was admitted to the firm and the firm is thus constituted today. The 
store's area (when the contemplated changes are carried out) will be 
one hundred sixty by one hundred twenty feet, three and four stories high 
with basement, all used for selling, with modem lighting and heating 
system and a warehouse on Talbot Avenue and Pine Way. The growth 
of the store typifies the growth of the town probably better than anything 
else, in the period from kerosene oil to illuminating gas and from the 
latter to the electric lighting. Lanterns carried by pedestrians was the 
only lighting in 1881 and when the stores turned out the lights the town 
was dark indeed. 

A good illustration of the old adage "Tall oaks from little acorns 
grow" is afforded by the Department store of Thos. W. Nugent & Co., 
familiarly known as "Nugent's, Braddock's Best Store." 

Conceived in a small and unpretentious way, in a small store with 



304 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 




NUGENTS DEPARTMENT .STORE. 



only a few lines, the business has steadily grown year by year until today, 
when it stands forth in this community as a fine example of a Modern De- 
partment Store. 

The business was founded in 1894 by Mrs. Mary Nugent, and has 
been conducted ever since that time by her and her sons and daughters. 

The place in which the business had its beginning was a small store 
at 823 Braddock Avenue, in the site now occupied by the First National 
Bank. The lines carried at that time were Millinery and a few lines of 
Ladies' Wear. 

In a few years the business had grown so that larger quarters be- 
came necessary, and a more spacious store was found at 851 Braddock 
Avenue, where the firm moved in 189S. New departments were now 
added, principally Dry Goods and Men's Furnishings. 

From that time the store has had a continuous growth, new de- 
partments and additional space being added every year. The Lytle 
Opera House, which included the second floor of the store at 851 Braddock 
Avenue, and also of the adjoining store, was added, making the largest 
store-room in Braddock. 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 305 

In the year 1906, the pioneer furniture store of Masters & Lewis, 
which occupied the next room at 853 Braddock Avenue, was purchased by 
Nugent's, and thus additional space was gained, and also more lines were 
added to the many carried. 

The two storerooms on George Street were soon found necessary, and 
by this time the store occupied almost the entire block. 

However, the store still continued too small for the ever-increasing 
business, so it necessarily followed that plans were made in 1915 for the 
erection of a modern three-story Department Store. A site was chosen 
at the corner of Braddock Avenue and John Street, in the next block from 
the old building. 

The new structure was completed in September, 1915, and was built 
of white enamel brick, with large show-windows forming an Arcade front. 
The store has modern fixtures throughout its three floors finished in ma- 
hogany. 

The successful growth of The Famous and Nugent's into thorough- 
ly modern department stores marks the entry of Braddock into the class 
of large commercial centers. 

Harry J. Learn, a well-known resident of the town, for many years 
has conducted a dry goods business that began successfully and has had 
a steady and flourishing growth. 

A. J. Spigelmire, who began business in the eighties, has conducted 
a growing business ever since, having a general store and handling dry 
goods and carpets. 

Of the old stores that are now out of business, familiar to the earli- 
er residents, may be mentioned the clothing store of Katz & Wormser, 
the dry goods and millinery store of Thomas Wagner, the general dry 
goods store of Spitzer & Speidel, the dry goods store of J. W. McCune, 
the Kerr Arcade, a dry goods store occupying a part of the present site 
of The Famous, and Blattners Department Store, a member of which firm 
now conducts a men's furnishing store. 

Among the clothing and men's furnishing stores of long and suc- 
cessful standing in the town may be mentioned Bachman's, Sullivan, 
Jones & Ryan, C. V. Weakland & Co., Fromme's, and Fromme & New- 
man's, all located on Braddock Avenue. 

The first furniture store in Braddock was that of James A. Rus- 
sell, which he opened in connection with his undertaking establishment 
as was quite the custom in the '60's and '70's. There are now several 
exclusive furniture stores in the town, among which may be mentioned, 



306 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

Noland Furniture Co., Stephens Furniture Co., Braddoek Furniture Co., 
Globe Furniture Co., and R. E. Thompson. 

H. M. Glenn and Braddoek Paint & Glass Co. specialize on house 
decorations. Roderus & Klaban of Braddoek, and C. B. Guttridge of 
Rankin, have flourishing trade in periodicals, stationery, blank books, and 
office equipment. John M. Balsamo, starting with a small tobacco store, 
has built up in connection with it a good trade in papers and periodicals. 
A. B. Crow has for many years conducted a harness making plant and 
store. 

Jas. A. Russell was succeeded in the undertaking business by his 
son, Robert M. Russell ; and he a few years ago, sold out to W. L. Dowler, 
who is now widely known as a funeral director. Others in the same line 
are Marshall Brothers, A. P. Pustinger, Stephen Vanyo, and Zorn & Glasser. 
Another line of trade requiring the business sense of the special- 
ist is jewelry. This department of commerce is carefully looked after by 
Fritz Liljedahl, Kopsofsky's, D. H. DeNardo Co., Karl Hess, A. Goldstein, 
A. Schmidt, and his brother, in a separate store, L. Schmidt. 

A line of commercial work that has had much to do with the 
growth of the community, as it does in all sections, is the real estate de- 
velopments. The man who lays out vacant property into lots and induces 
people to build homes, even with little capital, paying for them by month- 
ly installments, is a community builder, and his work is abiding. If the 
man who makes two blades of grass grow where only one grew before 
is a philanthropist, what shall we say of him who makes hundreds of 
homes grow where none were before? Some of Braddock's most suc- 
cessful men have acquired competence by handling property for others, 
and incidentally have been potent factors in the town's development. 
Nearly all renting and exchanging of property is done through these 
brokers. The only thing these men have to complain of now is that there 
are not enough houses for rent to go round, and there are not any more 
large undeveloped tracts where lots, convenient and desirable can be had 
at moderate prices. Among the men who have succeeded as realty 
brokers may be mentioned L. F. Holtzman, Esq., C. A. Stokes, R. M. Mc- 
Nulty, J. M. Clifford, J. N. Griffith, S. E. Stewart, Jones & Davis, C. R. 
Baldridge, John T. Unangst, John J. Walker, Ebdy & Ketter, P. D. Rem- 
ington, Geo. B. Whitfield, Jr., W. S. Heath, manager of the Real Estate De- 
partment of the Braddoek Trust Co., and John B. McMillan and M. B. 
Groat who succeeded E. A. Stroud & Co. Manv of these men write 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 307 

insurance in connection with their realty work. Mr. E. D. Nugent 
specializes in insurance, as does Mr. Jos. Wagner. 

The large amount of real estate and financial deals put through 
naturally requires the services of many attorneys at law. Of these, Brad- 
dock has a goodly number, some of them men of prominence at the bar, 
others young practitioners with brilliant futures ahead. Among the law- 
yers may be mentioned Francis Bennett, E. J. Smail, S. R. McClure, Jos. 
F. Mayhugh, E. J. Stebick, George Weil, P. D. Remington, J. E. Little. 
Thos. Lawry, Jas. A. Nugent, Ralph J. Brown, John K. Benn, Jas. J. 
Cosgrove, W. J. Aiken, Thomas Daugherty, Viers Edwards, W. Lloyd Mil- 
ler, Roland A. McCrady, Bernard McKenna, A. H. Rosenberg, Julius Spatz, 
Henry Gelm, H. A. Dean. 

As this chapter is intended to cover the points not touched upon 
by the writers of other special themes, it seems proper here to include 
a list of Braddock Dentists. That is one profession that is not now, nor 
likely soon to be overcrowded. In this profession, prevention is better 
than cure; and it is still a long way to go, before the mass of people will 
learn that regular visits to a careful, conscientious dentist are far better 
and cheaper than waiting until it is too late. A number of men formerly 
engaged in the practice of dentistry in Braddock have gone elsewhere. 
Among such are, Dr. J. R. King, and Dr. A. H. Speer, now located in Cali- 
fornia; Dr. H. H. Sargent and Dr. E. G. Masters, now in Pittsburgh, and 
Dr. Geo. A. Sloan, who is engaged in other lines of work. Present day 
dentists include the following: — Dr. R. J. King, Drs. Coulson and Fonda, 
Dr. Chas. E. Rose, Dr. I. M. Eisman, Dr. S. W. Frank, Dr. H. S. Kopsof- 
sky, Dr. H. T. McCune, Dr. M. H. Robin, Dr. R. M. Urmson, Dr. Len 
Calihan, Dr. Leo Shonefeldt, Dr. L. S. Flower. 

For many years Charles Haas, still a resident of the town, con- 
ducted a successful shoe business, being succeeded by the Hillsman Shoe 
Store. The Borland Walk Over Shoe Store, owned and conducted by Joseph 
H. Borland, is another shoe business that by its development marks the 
growth of Braddock. The Star Shoe Corner, the Book Shoe Store and 
Carlson's are all thriving Braddock Avenue shoe stores, showing that 
Braddock people insist upon being well shod. 

In the hardware line Frank Shilling for many years i - an a store 
near Ninth Street. Fulton Brothers conducted a successful hardware 
business for many years, forming later the firm of Fulton & Maginni, 
now Maginni's Hardware Store. The firm of Edmunds & Williams, a 
store of long standing, was succeeded by Richard Edmunds, who has 



303 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

successfully continued the business. William Strathern has had a flour- 
ishing store for many years and the store of J. A. Loew, now J. A. Loew's 
Sons, is another modern hardware business. The firms of Wills & Shel- 
by, Kost & Costello, and Dudgeon Brothers, and G. Roy Walker are suc- 
cessful in the general plumbing business. 

The development of the automobile has given rise to a new indus- 
try during the last decade, and garages, auto supply stores and repair 
shops have sprung up everywhere. One of the first firms to embark in 
this line in Braddock was H. S. Leighton & Company. Handling a com- 
plete line of Overland cars and supplies and operating a repair shop, their 
plant is one of the busy places. Wm. J. Tracey & Company, with the Ford, 
the Chalmers, and the Dodge cars, are also doing a big business, while the 
Buick interests are looked after by the Seewald Motor Company. Speicher 
& Daniels, young men of ability and energy, have recently opened an es- 
tablishment devoted exclusively to the repairing of automobiles. 

The town has progressed along all lines of trade, no line exhibiting 
this fact any more than the thriving condition of its many drug stores. 
Among those of long standing are the stores of George W. Kutscher, W. 
A. Kulp, George Klein, John Weyels, Charles Weyels, E. A. Hering, Hol- 
lander Drug Company, Cyrus Edmunds, James Sheekey, S. A. Stright, 
and Matthew Cassidy. Of the old time stores may be recalled Maginni's 
Drug Store, and the store of V. C. Knorr. David Musselman is an old 
time drug store proprietor and the name of J. D. Simon will be remembered 
by many. John Walker, at present in the real estate business, sold his 
store to Harry Poorman, who conducts the business now, and W. A. Kulp 
has recently sold one of his stores, it now being known as the Miller Drug 
Store. 

The Carnegie Cooperative Store, located where Woolworth's Five 
& Ten Cent Store is now, flourished a number of years, but finally closed 
and settled up with the stock-holders. It made money in its day but went 
out of style. Daniel Oskin conducted a grocery store near Ninth Street 
thirty years ago. Of the older general stores, may be mentioned the 
old stock company store of Smith and Worthington, and the store of W. A. 
McDevitt & Co. The grocery store of John Brennan above Eleventh 
Street was long a familiar sight. 

Stores were slow to make their appearance in North Braddock and 
then only grocery stores or drug stores did much good, but in the eighties 
P. Walters Grand Double Stores did a good business on Rebecca Street, the 
following price list being taken from an advertisement of that store in 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 309 

1887: 17 lbs. granulated sugar, $1.00; 11 cans tomatoes, $1.00; 16 lbs. 
prunes, $1.00; best sugar cured hams HV-jc per lb.; bacon lie per lb.; 
rye flour, per sack, 65c. However, in those days wages were about one- 
half what they are now. Furthermore, those were the days of the market 
basket and the telephone was a rarity. The delivery wagon or auto quick 
delivery was not considered essential to the success of the grocery bus- 
iness. People did their buying then over the counter and not over the 
telephone. 

The development of the grocery business has paralleled the indus- 
trial and civic growth. The community now supports two large whole- 
sale grocery companies, L. H. Bishoff & Company, and The W. E. Osborne 
Company. The most extensive retail grocery business is doubtless that of 
F. G. Bishoff & Company. Mr. Bishoff started this work in 1886. At first, 
he was buyer, salesman, and a man of all work, the amount of trade not 
justifying the employment of even a boy. The delivery clerk had not yet 
been invented. He and his wagon came later. To-day, this store carries 
a pay-roll of thirty-five to forty, and employs eighteen automobiles, in- 
cluding solicitors' run-abouts, delivery cars, and heavy auto trucks for 
bringing in the supplies. The store occupies the entire ground floor of 
the large Bishoff Block. 

Jones Brothers of North Braddock, have also built up a big trade 
■from small beginnings in the same way. They, too, have erected a large 
block, using what they need for their store and letting out other parts 
of the building for dwelling apartments. A. J. McQuiggan has a flour- 
ishing trade, specializing in poultry. Other successful grocers include 
Liston Brothers, Geo. P. Roby. H. Campbell, F. S. Colmery, Max Miller, 
Morris Adler, besides a great many that cater especially to trade in dis- 
tinctly local sections or among the families of European nationalities. 

Calahan's arcade is a busy place which includes a butter store, a 
meat market, a delicatessan department, and other distinct lines. 

Green goods and fruits are handled by specialists, chiefly Italians 
and Greeks. A. Andolina is a wholesaler in this line. Nucci & Ferrera 
have a large retail trade. Both of these firms have been in business in 
Braddock for many years, starting in a small way in a new field and in a 
strange land, and are now recognized as substantial American business 
men. Their families have grown up around them, their children have 
gone through the schools and the high schools, and the families are thor- 
oughly American. 

The Diamond Ice Company, operated by H. J. Wagner, does an ex- 



310 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

tensive business. In the hot days the ice man is as welcome as is the doc- 
tor in time of sickness. 

The welfare of animals is not neglected, and anything needed for 
them can be had from the Braddock Feed & Supply House, C. M. Marriott 
& Sons, or J. C. Muir. 

Recently the chain stores have appeared, such as Woolworth's 
five and ten, Butler's grocery and the A. & P. They locate either in the 
residence or business districts. The residence streets in Braddock that 
have not one or more grocery stores are few. 

The Braddock Laundry, under the management of Mr. J. R. Rob- 
inson, is one of the thriving industries of the community. It employs six- 
ty people, uses auto-trucks for gathering and delivering goods, and is fully 
equipped with modern machinery and appliances. 

The interests of the merchants are promoted by the Braddock 
Merchants' Association, a live-wire organization. W. H. Sullivan is Pres- 
ident and J. E. McDonald the salaried Secretary, who devotes all his time 
to promoting mercantile interests. The Association has taken over most 
of the functions of the Board of Commerce, though the latter body, now 
quiescent, has accomplished much in the past and may be still relied on in 
an emergency. 

Thus has Braddock and the community grown from a mere rural 
village with dusty roads and kerosene lamps, into a modern commercial 
center teeming with business on its crowded streets, and at night lighted 
up with up-to-date electric systems. The old time general country store 
has given place to the metropolitan department store. The stores in spe- 
cial lines of business are flourishing and increasing in number. The real 
estate offices are busy, the barber shop gives tickets for your turn, the 
garage has grown up beside the blacksmith shop, the drug stores sell 
anything in the medicinal line that may lie in the gamut from soap and 
sundaes to kodaks and automobile horns, the telephone bells are never 
silent, the song of the phonograph is in the air, the ice-man visits daily, 
the moving picture shows are beyond the most fanciful dreams of the 
early resident, the ten cent stores are thronged, and the department 
stores meet all the requirements of the most exacting customer. Buy 
in Braddock is a good slogan. It means continued growth. 



CONCLUSION. 

BY GEO. H. LAMB. 

Having passed in review all the papers submitted in this modest 
attempt to preserve the important features of the local history of the last 
half century, it seems proper that the editor should add a few words, not 
by way of apology for what has been written, nor for what has been left 
unsaid, but explanatory of the labor performed and the results accom- 
plished. 

When it was determined early in 1917 to hold a semi-centennial 
celebration of the incorporation of Braddock, and later a quarter-cen- 
tennial of the organization of Rankin borough, and incidentally the one- 
hundred-seventy-fifth anniversary of the building of Frazier's cabin, the 
present editor was appointed chairman of the history committee for that 
celebration, with power to select his assistants. With much care, the staff 
of editors whose names head the various chapters was chosen, and this 
book is proof of the wisdom of the selections made. 

When the history committee got together they planned two dis- 
tinct lines of action; first, to write the heretofore untold story of the 
later development of this region ; and, second, to erect suitable tablets for 
the marking of certain historic spots, hitherto neglected. To each mem- 
ber of the committee was assigned the specific task of writing one chap- 
ter. The committee began its work enthusiastically, each planning to 
have his story completed early in April, that the book might appear on 
the stands in time for the celebration in June. When war was declared 
with Germany, and the executive committee of the Jubilee decided to post- 
pone the event for a year, the work of this committee was so well advanced 
that it seemed wise to go forward with its every detail, but the stress was 
somewhat relaxed and time for the completion of the work was extended. 
Accordingly, this history appears, and the historic tablets are erected in 
1917 as originally planned. 

The members of the committee had a wide margin to work on, be- 
ing restrained only by two rules which were to be rigidly adhered to. 
First, no one was to permit a statement to appear which was not fully 
verified, so that it could be strictly relied on. Members of the committee 
were reminded of Mark Twain's dictum, that the trouble with remi- 
niscences is not that people know too much, but that they know so many 
things that aren't so. The second rule was, nothing shall appear in the 



312 The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 

volume that can, in any way, be construed as an advertisement. Names 
were to be used freely, and personal reminiscences and individual touches 
to be given ad libitum, but these were to be matters of historic impor- 
tance, and not incidents inserted because of friendship or favoritism. 

In so far as the editor is able to observe, these rules have been 
carefully followed; and while the names of hundreds of present and 
former citizens appear, not one is printed "by request", and no individual 
or firm is written up because of "influence". The response of the old 
residents and of business men to the interviews, the interrogatories, and 
the questionaires of the different members of the committee, has been 
hearty and encouraging. The historians have spent days in running down 
obscure and half-forgotten facts. A few of the articles might have been 
a little fuller if every one appealed to had supplied the desired information 
as requested. Doubtless many things have been left unsaid which, told, 
would have added to the history's value. But the character of the mem- 
bers of the committee is such as to win the confidence of the community, 
and they have been untiring in their efforts to get the facts. 

As was foreseen, the labors of different writers frequently over- 
lap; and there is more repetition than would have been the case in the 
event of the writing of the whole book by one person. This is not wholly a 
detriment, but emphasizes the wide-spread influence that emanates from 
an individual or from any important event, and, by showing how one deed 
or incident reacts on another, furnishes cumulative evidence of the wide- 
reaching force of the community. 

For record, it is important here to note the second part of the com- 
mittee's work, the placing of the historic tablets. Four bronze tablets 
are now cast, which are to mark as many important events. The first of 
these commemorates the building of Frazier's cabin, and incidentally 
points out the place where Braddock's army crossed the river. The exact 
spot where the cabin stood is on the banks of the river, within the grounds 
of the Edgar Thomson Steel Works. As the location is inaccessible, the 
tablet is erected along Braddock Avenue, on the concrete wall surrounding 
the works, and reads : — 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



513 




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«J *jr Sfl -^ ;" 

3 



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314 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



The location of the second tablet is on Sixth Street, North Brad- 
dock, just above the Pennsylvania Railroad. The wording of this 
tablet is : — 




The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



315 



The third tablet, marking the location of Braddock's spring (which 
is now sewered away and gives no surface indication) is placed on the 
concrete foundation of the new Edgar Thomson Steel Works office build- 
ing, where Braddock Avenue crosses Thirteenth Street, and reads : — 



— 1 


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1755. 

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316 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



The fourth tablet marks events of a later date. It is placed on the 
wall of the Wallace mansion, several times referred to in this work, and 
reads : — 




INDEX. 



A. 



Abbiss, Reuben 122, 131, 222 

Abbiss, Reuben D 203, 250 

Abromaites, Rev. C 181 

Adams, A. R 78 

Adams, Chas 78 

Adams, John 24 

Adams, John W 78, 86 

Adams, President John Quincy 158 

Addenbrook, Louisa 289 

Addenbrook, Thos 23, 100, 

and note 101, 108, 109, 113, 114, 117, 

121, 124, 131, 187, 221. 

Adler, Morris 309 

A-Gree(r)able Club, 203 

Aiken, A. P., 53, 56 

Aiken, Wm. J 4, 150, 298, 307 

Aites, Wm. R 43 

Albig, W. Espev. 3, 31, 204 

Alexander, James 57 

Alexander, J. L 41 

Alleghanies .3, 11, 13, 

32, 151, 169, 201, 298, 313, 314, 315, 316 

Allegheny Chronicle 102 

Allegheny City 167 

Allegheny County 153 

Allegheny River 298 

Allegheny River Railroad...- 59 

Alliquippa, Queen 11, 25 

Allison, Axel .278 

Alman, Rev. Geo 190 

Alman, Sam. R 90 

Allshouse, Lewis 278 

Alters, Mrs. Harry 62 

Alumni Association 202, 203 

Amalgamated Association 110, 112 

American Chain Co., Inc. 92 

American Library Association. 225 

American Steel & Wire 88 

Amshall, Lewis 230, 231 

Anderson, C. A. 221, 222 

Anderson, E. H 221, 222 

Anderson, Mrs. E. H. 289 

Anderson, Dr. E. 249, 276 

Anderson, Geo. K 173 

Anderson, H. L 42, 162 

Anderson, Joseph ..23 

Anderson, Leonora M 42 

Andolina, A 309 



Antis, David 19 

Antonoff, Rev. J. K 181 

Appel, Adam 276 

Arensberg, Chas 275 

Argall, A. J 42 

Armstrong Company 153 

Arthurs, Robert 213 

Aten, Thos. G 40, 276 

Atlantic & Pacific .310 



B. 

Bachman, Mrs. Louise 212 

Bachman's 305 

Bagaley, Ralph 213 

Bailey, Henley 158 

Bailey, John 198 

Bair, Dr. C. E 248, 249 

Bair, Dr. G. E... 91, 218, 21!i 

Bair, Mrs. G. E 

Bair, H. H 276 

Baker Chain Wagon Mfg. Co 92 

Baldridge Building 303 

Baldridge, C. R.. 43, 306 

Baldridge, John 24, 30 

Balsamo, John M 306 

Balsinger, W. R 221 

Baltimore & Ohio R. R 66, 67, 69 

Bank of Pittsburgh 13, 21 

Barkley, "Mother" 183 

Barlett, Rev. F. W 181 

Barnes, Phineas 98, 107 

Bartilson, Dr. B. M 13, 211. 249, 261 

Baughman, Elizabeth 20, 21 

Baughman, Hiram 78 

Baughman, Peter 20, 21 

Bayard, George 23 

Bayard, Stephen 32 

Beattie, Robert . ...58 

Behane, Dr. J 249 

Bell Ave. School 203 

Bell, Florence 237, 2!»4 

Bell, George H 8, 13, 14, 2:;, 24, 27, 30 

Bell, Mrs. Geo. H 2 1 

Bell, Margaret 1 I. 22. 283 

Bennevantano, Rev. Francisco 181 

Benn, H. W 

108, 117, 120, 122, 127a, 131, 214, 216, 222 
Benn, John 22 



318 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



Benn, John K. 307 

Benn, Wallace B 160 

Bennett, F. S 218, 307 

Bennett, James H 276 

Bennett, Mrs. Mark 285 

Bennett, M. E 202 

Berg, H. A 86 

Berg, P. T 108 

Berkey, James 19 

Berthold, Chas. D 276 

B. & L. E. Railroad 70 

Bessemer Process 96 

Bessemer, Sir Henry 96 

Bessemer Trust Co 210, 212 

Best, A. L 24, 42 

Bierer, Rev. B. K 181 

"Billy Smith" Cottage, 18 

Bishoff, F. G 

3, 42, 57, 162, 214, 216, 239, 241, 242, 309 

Bishoff, L. H. 42, 57, 309 

Bishoff, Wm. H 57 

Black, John 62 

"Black Bab" 23 

Black, James 275 

Black, P. A. K 131, 204, 222 

Black, S. J 60 

Blattner's Department Store 305 

Blue Line Street Railway 76 

Board of Managers, Hospital 

239, 240, 241, 242 

Boat Yard - - 84 

Boli, B. W 60 

Boli, Mrs. . 23, 285 

Boli, Wm. C 201 

Book Shoe Store 307 

Bope, Col. H. P 226, 227 

Borland Shoe Store 307 

Bouquet, Colonel 31 

Bowden, Mrs. H. M 233 

Bowers, Dr. M. S -249 

Bowman, Rev. E. M. 184 

Bowman, John T. C 60 

Bowman, Roger 117 

Bowman, Mrs. Sarah 285 

Boxer Uprising 197 

Boyd, Mrs. Eli 233 

Boyd, Jame K 131 

Boyd, Jane 14 

Boyd, Mary -14 

Boyle, A. J 127a 

Boyle, Rev. T. N 183 

Brackemeyer, E. M 276 

Bracken, E. S 276 

Braddock & Turtle Creek Railway 73 

Braddock Board of Commerce, 237, 238, 310 



Braddock Borough 40 

Braddock Burgesses 40 

Braddock Daily News 21, 230, 231 

Braddock Electric Railway 75 

Braddock Feed & Supply House 309 

Braddock Furniture Co 306 

Braddock, General Edward 

9, 11, 12, 13, 31, 151, 177, 315 

Braddock General Hospital 

21, 177, 230, 232, 234, 236, 237, 238, 

239, 242, 243, 293. 

Braddock Glass Co. 87 

Braddock Hospital Association - 177 

Braddock Lumber Company 74, 89, 291 

Braddock Machine & Mfg. Co 90 

Braddock Manufacturing Co., - 90 

Braddock Merchants' Assn 227, 229, :;i(i 

Braddock Ministerial Association ...241 

Braddock National Bank 

161, 208, 210, 211, 212 

Braddock Paid Fire Department 278 

Braddock Paint & Glass Co 306 

Braddock Planing Mill Co 89 

Braddock Post Office 159, 163 

Braddock Relief Association 235 

Braddock Trail 66 

Braddock Trust Co., 213, 215, 216, 218 

Braddock Volunteer Fire Department. ... 

275, 278 

Braddock Wire Co 87 

Braddock Wire Plant 89 

Braddock's Defeat 12, 313, 315 

Braddock's Field 7, 8, 11, 13, 14, 18, 

20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 158, 160, 164, 166, 

169,195, 201. 

Braddock's Field Trust Company 210 

Braddock's Spring 315 

Bradford, David 14, 74 

Brand, Rev. Frederick 186 

Brashear, John A 226 

Brassert, H. A 122, 131 

Braznell, A. S 218 

Braznell, Mrs. A. S 231, 233 

Braznell, Benj 24, 25, 91 

Braznell Building 213, 216 

Braznell, C. W 218 

Braznell, Hall 188 

Brennan, John 40, 308 

Brennan, William P 114 and note 

Brenneman, George 56 

Bridges, Frank L 275 

Brinton Ave. School 203 

Britt, Thos 275 

Broden, E. H 3, 88, 89 

Brooklyn Eagle ... 167 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



319 



Brown, Allan 17 

Brown, Rev. A. D 181 

Brown, Harry - 56 

Brown, Mrs. Henry 241 

Brown, Rev. Joseph 61 

Brown, Thos. B 12 

Brown, Ralph J. 307 

Brown, W. H. & Sons 55 

Brown, W. S 221, 222 

Brown, Mrs. W. S 233 

Brown, Walter 276 

Brown, Zachariah - - 17 

Brubaker, A. S - IDS 

Bruggeman, H. T. 275 

Bryan, Miss O - 285 

Bryans, Wm. A 62 

Buchanan, Jas. W 13, 23, 27 

Bucket Brigade 274 

Buell, Rev. J. J 181 

Bulger, Dr. A. E 248, 249 

Bull Run 158 

Burke, Rev. J. D 181 

Burke, John 279 

Burleigh 150 

Butler, General B. F 27 

Butler's 302, 310 

c. 

Cady, Rev. W. C 187 

Cain, Daniel 183 

Cain, Patrick 56 

Cain, Thos. M 42 

Callahan's Arcade 309 

Callahan, Dr. Leonard ... . 307 

Callery, James 86 

Camp Copeland 8, 78 

Campbell, Geo. W 131 

Campbell, H 309 

Campbell, Jos. L., Sr 

169, 170, 172, 173, 279 

Campbell, Mrs. Jos. L 233 

( a rims, A. M 276 

Carlins Shoe Store 307 

Carnegie, Andrew 

10, 25, 69, 96, 98, 104, 110, 220, 221, 

225, 226, 227, 230. 

Carnegie, Mrs. Andrew 227 

Carnegie Bros. & Company 110 

Carnegie Club 10, 223, 228, 229 

Carnegie Co-operative Store 308 

Carnegie Free Library 

.10, 156, 171, 219, 220, 223, 225, 227 

Carnegie McCandless & Co 9, 98 

Carnegie Round Table 229 



Carnegie School 22, 195 

Cariegie Steel Co 

...9, 38, 86, 121, 197, 2:;:>. 291 

egie, Thos 96, 98, 104, lilt. 285 

Carothers, John A 210 

Carothers, Gertrude R. 294 

Carr, Alfred 276 

Carr, Chas. J. :;, 46 

Carrie Furnaces 21, 86 

Carson, Rev. E. H. 181 

Cartwright, F. J 229, 291 

Cartwright, Mrs. F. J 21)1 

Casley, Rev. F. J...... 181 

Cassidy, Matthew 308 

Caulfield, J. P ... 88 

Chalfant, Henry R. 'In 

Chamberlain, G. D. i:;l 

Chambers, Thos 88 

Chandler, G. J. 93 

Charles H. B 93 

Cheney & Baldwin 29 

Chess, H. B 90 

Chess, N. P., Jr 89 

Chess, P. F 89 

Chess, Walter 90 

Chieftain Packet . 51 

Churches.... 179 to 193 inclusive 

List of 181 

Also 52-61, 281 

Church, Chas. R .60 

Church, Emma E. .241 

Church, Harry 60 

Citizens Bank 216, 218 

Civil War 14, 28, 29, 151, 152, 299 

Claney, Alexander 183 

Clarke, Wm. Sons & Co 86 

Clarke, Rev. J. C 181 

Clay, Mrs. Rachel 

231, 238, 241, 285, 294. 296 

Clementson, Dr. W. A 2i:» 

Clemson, D. M. 91 

Cleveland Gas Coal Co 30 

Cleveland, Pres. Grover 51, 162, 169 

Cleveland Plain Dealer 172 

Clifford, Dr. Chas. H 249, 276 

Clifford, Mrs. C. H .....233 

Clifford, J. M 216, 218. 306 

Clokey, Rev. J. S 184 

Clugston, John A 59 

Clugston, Robt 58 

Clugston, Sarah C 58 

Clugston, William 58 

Coal Mining 51 

Cochran, Chas. & Co 109 



320 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



Cole, Thos 60 

Coleman Hailman & Co 102 

Coleman, Jacob C 204 

Coleman, William 90, 98 

Coleman, W. H. 47 

Collin, Simon C 108 

Collingwood, D. F 14, 201, 221, 239 

Collingwood, Mary K., (Mrs. D. F.).... 

.. 231, 2:17 

Collins, Mr. 98 

Collins, James 275 

Collins, Patrick 275 

Collins, Walter 22, 53, 79, 162 

Colmery, F. S 309 

Colmery, W. S 162 

Colored Republican Club 46 

Colonel Baird 51 

Conner, William 242, 276 

Connor, William 121 

Consolidated Expanded Metal Co 89 

Conway, Wm. P 41 

Cook, Colonel Edward 32 

Cook, Thos 14 

Cooper, I). F 56 

Cooper, 1. N 198 

Cooper, Gen. Joseph T 79 

Cope, Dr. P. C 249 

Copeland School 195 

Corey, A. A 30 

Corey, A. A., Jr 86 

Corey, A. A. & Company 25, 30 

Corey & Adams 37 

Corey, Adaline 56 

Corey Avenue Restaurant 302 

Corey Chapel 87 

Corey, Elizabeth 289 

Corey, J. B. 

23, 26, 27, 30, 49, 50, 69, 183, 187, 231, 245 

Corey, Mrs. J. B 233 

Corey, J. B. & Co 28 

Corey, M. G 40, 210 

Corey, W. E 56, 59, 238 

Corey, Mrs 52 

Corrothers, Gertrude R 237 

Con-others, Dr. M. W 249 

Cosgrove, James J 307 

Cosgrove, Thomas 

22, 98, 108, 111, 116, 117, 121, 124, 

127a, 131, 222. 

Cosgrove, Mrs. Thomas 231 

Coulson, Dr 307 

Coultersville 50 

Councils (borough) 40, 42 

Coyne, Rev. C 190 



Craig 1 , John 51 

Cramer, Margaret 237 

Crane, P : 88 

Crane, Walter 223 

Crawford Democrat 171 

Crawford, Geo 122 

Cremer, J. 108 

Crosby, Mrs. J 233 

Crow, A. B 306 

Crown Wall Plaster Co 90 

Crum, John 14 

Cummings, Chas. L 158, 223 

Cundiff, L. B 229 

Cunningham, H. M. 60 

Cunningham, Rev. W. A 61, 190 

Cunningham, S. M 60 

Curtis, F. J 93 

Cuthbert, S. B 131 

D. 

Dalzell, John 47, 121 

Dalzell, W. S 221, 222 

Darcy, James 182 

Dart, Oscar 275 

Davidson, Samuel 51 

Davis, Chas. L 87 

Davis, Ezra 56 

Davis, T. J (note) 137 

Davis, W. A 88 

Dawes Mfg. Co., 94, 277 

Day, A. J 88 

Day, Geo. W. C 276 

DeAmore, Rev. Luke 181 

Dean, Cecil 204 

Dean, E. W., Doctor 

246, 247, 248, 249, 276 

Dean, H. A 307 

Dean, Dr. H. E 241, 242, 248, 249 

Decker, Rev. M 190 

DeDeken, Albert 108 

Delafield, Herbert 74, 75 

Dempster, Alexander 22, 25, 28 

Dempster, Samuel 93 

DeNardo, D. H 306 

Derrickson, John 52 

Devlin, Rev. D 190 

Diamond Ice Co 310 

Dias, E. A 60 

Dick, John 276 

Dickey, Rev. John B 184 

Dickson, Jas. B 56 

Dickson, Stewart & Co .30, 61 

Dickson, Wm 56 

Diethrich, Albert 65 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



321 



Dietrich, Jos. H 170, 174 

Dillon, Sydney 9, 122, 1.31 

Dinges, John 276 

Dinkey, A. C 95, 227 

Dinkey, Chas. E 

3, 91, 95, 122, 202, 222, 226, 240 

Administration 129 

Character and Methods 141 

Affiliations - - 145 

Dinkey, Mrs. Chas. E (note) 147 

Dinkey, Minnie 289 

Dinwiddie, Governor..- 8, 11. 313 

Dixon, H. C 206 

Dixon, William J 3, 41, 56, 131 

Donnellan, Jno. S.. 42, 40 

Donovan, John 276 

Donovan, Louise 239 

Doritz, A 276 

Double, Peter .60 

Douglass, William L 162 

Douthitt, A. T 198 

Dowler, E. R 22, 78, 91, 215 

Dowler, George 276 

Dowler, J. G 22, 40 

Dowler Lumber Co 85 

Dowler Planing Mill Fire .277 

Dowler, Thos. J 22, 40, 85, 275 

Dowler, W. L 306 

Dowling, Denny 276 

Dowling, Elizabeth 163 

Dowling, James 276 

Dowling, Martin 17, 189 

Dowling, M. J 275 

Drexler, Mr. and Mrs. L 238, 241 

Dudgeon Bros 308 

Duff, Pvobert P 210 

Dunbar, Frank 78 

Dunn, James and Patrick 102 

Duquesne Forge 85, 87 

Duvall, U. G 42 

Dyess, Rev. G. A 187 



E. 

Easton, Rev. J. S. 184 

Eaton, Katherine 17, 18, 22 

Ebdy & Ketter 306 

Ebner Hotel ...302 

Ebner, John 20 

Eddstrom, Chas :...88 

Edenborn, William 87 

Edgar, L. C 131 

Edgar Thomson, J 98, 99 



Edgar Thomson Steel Works 

9, 11, 19, 38, 43 

Article, 96, 169, 172, 197, 240,299,312, 
.",15. 

Edgar Thomson Steel Works, Ltd 104 



EDGAR THOMSON WORKS TECHNI- 
CAL INDEX. 

For additional personal names — see 
General Index. 



Accidents 114, 124, 127, 

Bloom Mill 102, 117, 12:,. 138, 

Blowing Engines 118, 

Boilers .... 102, 125, 

Briquette (note) 

Car dumper 

Club House L37, 

Converting works 100, 118, 

Dinkey, C. E.: 

Administration 

Man and Methods 

Direct Metal 

Diversified Product 

Electrical 117, 124, 125, 127, 138, 

Floods 

Furnace (Blast) Improvements 

118, 120, 124, 

"A" . 109, 

"B" 109, 

"C" 109, 110, 113, 

"D" Ill, 

"E" Ill, 

"F" Ill, 

"G" Ill, 

"H" 117, 

"I" 117, 124, 127, 139, 

"J" 125, 

"K" 125, 

Foundries 121, 

Gas Cleaning 

Gas engines 132, 

Gayley, James, Administration 

General Office 110, 134, 

Hospital 

Jones, W. R., Administration 

Kennedy-Morrison Process 127, 

Labor (1876) 

Laboratory 

Ladles 135, 

Locomotives 

Masonry 



134 
139 

125 
134 
137 
134 
138 
125 

12!) 
141 
120 
135 
140 
134 



140 
124 
110 
132 
124 
124 
132 
124 
132 
140 
127 
127 
124 
138 
134 
118 
139 
137 
107 
135 
110 
125 
136 
117 



322 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



McKiimey Club House 138 

Mill No. 1 112. US. 134, 138 

Mill No. 2, 139 

Mill No. 3 L32 

Mill No. 4 102, 117, 118 

Mixer (Jones) Ill 

Morrison, Thos., Administration 122 

Open Hearth Plant 137, 138 

Ore, Changing Character of, (note 1)..120 

Ore Bridges 131 

Original Plant 102 

Production - 

Jones .--. 108 

Schwab .... 118 

Gayley 120 

Morrison - 127 

Dinkey 140 

Panics, 1873 100 

1007 (note) 134 

Pig Machine L25 

P. R. R. Subway L39 

Reverse Duplex Process 137 

Road (Old) Changed 1-1 

Roll storage 132 

Safety department (note) 139 

Schwab, C. M., Administration 113 

Settling Tanks 132 

Sliding Scale 112 

Splice Bar Shop, ...(note) 137 

Steel, Pittsburgh District, History of 
daily) Superintendents, Department, 

Jones 108 

Schwab ... 110 

Gayley 120 

Morrison 122 

Dinkey 131 

Telephone System 138 

Turtle Creek Moved 121 

Union Railroad Connections 125 

Water Supply .117, 13!) 

Washington Street Tunnel 134 

Wharf 96, 98, 132 

Edgeworth Ladies Seminary ...201, 316 

Edmundstone, Capt 13 

Edmunds & Williams 307 

Edmunds, Cyrus . ...308 

Edmunds, Richard 307 

Edwards, Fred W. ... 46, 74, 222 

Edwards, Watt, 221 

Edwards, Mrs. W. R 231 

Egan, Dr. J. P 240 

Eger, Rev. F. J .181, 190, 191, 206 

Eisaman, Dr. I. M .....248, 307 



Eisenbeis, Col. E. W.-.. 169, 172 

Eisenbeis, Harry L 169, 172 

Elector Packet ".1 

Elizabeth Packet :>1 

Ellenberger's Bakery 302 

Elliott, Rev. Thomas ... 181 

Ellis, Charles 75 

Ellis, Dr. E. W 249 

Elrod, J. N 56 

Emmert, P. F 40 

Emmens, A. F 174 

Enders, Lina G 241 

Engelder, Rev. C 186 

England, Geo. C 122, 131 

Engelbert, Rev 181, 186 

Episcopal Church Fire 277 

Erret, Isaac 182 

Escher, Philip 101 

Eschman, Daniel 278 

Estep, David 182 

Eureka Printing Co 17 1 

F. 

Fairlie, Rev. J. C 187 

Falcona, A 88 

Famous, The 216, 303, 305 

Farr, Harry 276 

Farragut, Commodore 27 

Farrell, J. A 88a 

Farrell, Patrick . .....275 

Farrell, William 89 

Farrier, S. C 198 

Faughman, Rev. Jno 190 

Fauset, Geo. R 275 

Fawcett, Ann 16 

Fawcett, C. C 22, 275 

Fawcett, Mrs. C. C 233 

Fawcett (or Fausett) Thos 18, 28 

Federal Building 165 

Felician Sisters 191 

Fiero, S. T 231 

Fighting (Street) 45 

Fink, Mr 183 

Finley, Rev. Frank G 51 

Finnin, Edward 53 

Finnin, John T 53 

Finnin, Wm 56 

Fireman Picnic and Ball.. 277 

First National Bank 202, 213, 304 

First Presbyterian Church 171 

First Ward School, N. B 203 

First White Settlement 314, 315 

Fischer, Andrew 191 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



:!2:', 



Fischer, Rev. Anthony 189, 190 

Fisher, D. G 276 

Fisher, Rev. Grant E 61 

Fisher, Dr. H. F.....238, 239, 241, 249, 295 

Fisher, J. K 231, 275 

Fitch, Col. Thos. 87, 88, 89 

Fitch, Henry 275 

Flannigan, Mart 275 

Fleck, Harry 276 

Fleming, W. M. 158, 164 

Floods (Monongahela) 134 

Fogey, Harry .... 160, 162 

Fonda, Dr 307 

Forbes, General .13, 151 

Ford, S. A., 108, 117 

Ford, Wm 78 

Forester, Geo 182 

Forney, Christ 74 

Forsyth, Robt .....79 

Fort Duquesne ....9, 11, 12, 25, 31, 151, 314 

Fort Le Boeuf 11 

Fort Necessity 31 

Fort Pitt 

Foundry (Edgar Thomson) 121 

Fowles, G. M. ... 197 

Foye, Henry 72, 74, 7.". 

Francis, Father 190 

Franey, Wm. ...57 

Frank, Dr. S. W 307 

Fraternal Societies — All such societies 
are named chronologically as consti- 
tuted, at beginning of article on page 
250. Names of officers and members 
not indexed. 

Frazier, John (and Family) 

8, 11, 25, 169, 280, 311, 312, 313 

Frazier, Lillian 204 

Frazier, Judge Robt. S 239 

Frederick, David 278 

Frederick, John 100, 108 

Frederick, John M 10 

Frederick, Samuel 275 

Frick, H. C 95, 96, 277, 278 

Friedlaender, Eugene 131 

Friedman, Jacob 231 

Fritchman Farm -* 11 

Fritz, Geo 10 

Fritzius, Geo 40, 56 

Fritzius, Jordan 21, 56 

Fritzius, L. C. .... 275 

Fritzius, O. B 56 

Fritzius, William ... 22, 56, 159 

Fritzius, Mary A. (Mrs. Wm. ) 159, 160 
Fi-omme, Rev. Wm L90 



Fromme & Newman 305 

Fromme's 305 

Fulton & Maggini 307 

Fulton Bros . 307 

Fulton, Reverend J. G.. 1M 

Fulton, Rev. Wm. S 184 

Furlong, Major 14 



G. 



Gable, M. E. 174 

Gaffney, John 302 

Gallagher, Mary 56 

Gallagher, Timothy 56 

Gallo, Rev. John 181 

Gardner, Dr. C. C 248, 249 

Gates, John W 88 

Gauermann. Henry 91 

Gayley, James 

.95, 108, 113, 116, 118, 129. 2-21, 222 

Gayley, Mrs. James 120, 233, 289 

Gazette-Times (Pittsburgh) 174 

Gelm, Henry L91 

George, John > ,; 

George, King of England L3 

George, Miles >6 

George, Thomas 

Gerwig. F. H. N 131 

Getty, J. P 78 

Gettys, W. E 108 

Gettysburg 7 

Getzel, H. G. 218 

Ghrist, F. H 124, 131 

Gibbs, E. A 93 

Gibson, George 79, 276 

Gibson, J ..40 

Gibson, Lester 79 

Giles, John 19, 29 

Gillen, P. A. 276 

Gillespie, T. A 93 

Gilmore, G. W L95 

Gilmore, James, Sr H2 

Gilmore, James, Jr 62 

Gindas, John 279 

Gist, Christopher 11, 31 

Gladden, Rev. W. 188 

Glasser, Nicholas .. 163 

Glenn, H. M 204, 217, odd 

Globe Furniture Co. 306 

Godlewski, Dr. S. A 249 

Goehring, A. S. 301 

Goldberg, H. B. 231 

Goldrath, David 231 

Goldrath, Mrs. David 231 



324 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



Goldsmith, Lewis, J. 
Goldsmith, Josiah L. 

Goldstein, A 

Goodwin, H. W.. 



.303 

.303 
.306 
.60 



Gordon, Rev. P. H 180, 181, 184 

Gore, Dr. Wm 245 

Gorham, David H. 160 

Gorham, James 275 

Gourley, Chas. 276 

Govier, J. W 88 

Graham, David H 160 

Graham, Frank 279 

Grammar, F. L 122 

G. A. R. Home 287 

Grannis, Bros. 85, 274, 277 

Grant, President U. S 159 

Gray, G. E. F 

122 and note, 124, 126, 131, 222 

Gregg-, E. E 173, 178 

Greek Catholic Union .191 

Greensburg Turnpike 59, 62 

Greer Business College 202 

Greer, D. Newton 73, 202 

Griffin, J. E 74, 276 

Griffith, Dr 248 

Griffith, J. N 306 

Groghan, Geo 31 

Grove City College 197 

Guest of the Nation 8, 316 

Gulovich, Rev. Stephen 181 

Guthrie, John P 78 

Guthrie, R. S 278 

Guthrie, Sam T 78 

Guttridge, C. B 3, 42, 46, 242, 278, 306 

Guttridge, R. S 278 

H. 

Haas, Chas 307 

Haddon, Thos. 78 

Haddonfield, ... .150 

Hafner, P. J. ...... 231 

Hager, Dr. C 249 

Hager, Mrs. C 233 

Hall, Mrs. Ellis Y. ... 159 

Hall, Dr. G. A 168 

Hamburg 53 

Hamfeldt, George 86 

Hamilton, S. D. 62, 91, 201, 275 

Hamilton, Mrs. S. D 233 

Hamilton, Samuel. ...197, 198, 205, 221, 226 

Hamilton, Mrs. Samuel 205, 280 

Hamilton School 195 

Hamm, E. J _ 276 



Hand, Hope 19 

Handel, Mrs. Fannie 241 

Hanlon, James 19 

Hanna, John W 204 

Hanna, Mrs. John W. 3 

Hannatown 30 

Hardin, Col. M. D. 79, 81 

Harding, Clark 302 

Harman, Rev. W. S.... 181 

Harris, Geo. E 121, 124, 131 

Harris, Dr. Ira 201, 248, 249 

Harris, Morgan Ill 

Harrison, Chas 78 

Harrison, John ... 23, 40 

Harrison, Squire Richard 53 

Harrison, President Benjamin 51 

Harrison, President Wm. Henry ...37 

Harrity, Morgan 43 

Harrop, Mrs. Arville .. .285 

Harrop, Frank 276 

Hart, Rev. E. P 187 

Hart, Michael . 38 

Hart, Robert A. 276 

Hart, Samuel 17, 56, 79 

Hartman, Dr. J. C 204 

Harvard University 9 

Hawes, Rev. G. E 184 

Hawkins, Col. G. W 24, 58 

Hay, Anna M 222 

Hayes, A 90 

Haymaker, Hon. J. C 61, 62 

Haynes, F. B 88 

Heath, Robt 49 

Heath, Capt. Samuel 49 

Heath, Sam. J. 49 

Heath, Sam. L. 54 

Heath, W. S. 49, 216, 306 

Heigh, Jos 85 

Henderson, J. D 60, 206 

Henning, Eliza 285 

Henning, Matthew 16, 17, 23, 183 

Henning, Mrs. M 17 

Henning School 196 

Herbster, Rev. S. K 181 

Hering, E. A. ... 308 

Hess, Karl 306 

Heverly, A. 43 

Hezlep, Miss A. W 222 

Hezlepp, Joseph 62 

Hickey, Father 189 

Hicks, Dr. T. S 249 

Hill, F. B 89 

Hillkowitz, Rev. J. L 181 

Hillsman Shoe Store 307 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



325 



Hinman, Dr. A. W 248 

Hodcier Construction Co. '.*■'! 

Hoffman, Geo 276 

Hogg, Geo 93, 217. 218. 239, 242 

Hogg, Mrs. Geo 295 

Holland Company 153 

Holland, R. M -'2, 217 

Holland, Mrs. R. M 289 

Holland, Wm. A 22, 40 

Holland, Wm. G. ....... 22 

Hollander Drug Co 308 

Holleran, Eliza 17 

Holley, A. L 96, 98, 102 

Holmes, W. B 90 

Holmes, W. M. ...... 90, 218 

Holtzman family 14 

Holtzman, L. F., Esq 

3, 14, 41, 46, 173, 189, 222, 275, 306 

Holtzman, Mary J. (Mrs. L. F.)..237, 294 

Horner, J. M 218 

Horowitz, Dr. Max 249 

Horr, Ignatz 46 

Horton, James 20 

Horse Racing 107 

House, Geo. F. 78, 275 

House, Geo. L. 217, 275 

House, John 19 

Howard, John 276 

Howard, Dr. Samuel 249 

Howard, T. L 41 

Howatt, Wm 91, 276 

Huber, Rev. Vincent 190 

Hughes (contractor) 98 

Hughes, Father 189 

Hughes, James 278 

Hughes, John 18 

Hughes, Squire J. M 161 

Hughes, M. J., Jr. 206 

Hughes, Patrick 276 

Hultgren, C 88 

Hultgren, Fred 88 

Hungarian Normal School 206 

Hunnell, I. N 43 

Hunt, Miss Ellen 242 

Hunter, Geo 14 

Hunter, H. R. 3, 43 

Hunter, J. C 60 

Hunter, Dr. W. L 60, 63, 210 

Hunting, ....: 62 

Hurley, J. M .276 

Hurell, R. E 88 

Husband, W. S. ... 9:: 

Hutzen, Hiram 100 

Hutzen, John 91 



Hutzen, Noah ... ion 
Hyland, W. V 42 

I. 

Illingsworth, Jess 278 

independence Hall 7 

Indians L50 

Ingley, Rev. Fred 187 

Iron City L52 

Irvine, Rev. Ingram 186 

Isaacs, Dr. H. S 249 

Italian McKinley Club 46 



Jackson, Rev. J. L. ...181 

Jackson, Wm 86 

James, Al 275 

James, Elizabeth (Mrs. Thos.) 

231, 237, 239, 242, 293, 294 

James, Jack 79 

James, Thomas 

101), 108, 111, 117, 120, 122, 127a, 131. 

163. 

Jamestown 7 

Jaquay, Gideon H 46 

Jefferson Guards 54 

Jefferson House ..57 

Jefferson, G. W 88 

Jewish Ladies I. O. O. B 211 

Jobe, Captain ... 62 

Johns, Reynold 42 

Johns, Samuel 42 

Johns, W. H , .42 

Johnson, Chas 74 

Johnson, James 79 

Johnson, Robert 58 

Johnson, William ... 58 

Johnston, J. S 197, 198 

Jones, Benjamin H. 201 

Jones Brothers 309 

Jones, Cora (note) 109 

Jones, Daniel N loo 

Jones, Mrs. Ellen 285 

Jones, J. C 279 

Jones, J. C. F. & Sons 308 

Jones, John 42, 279 

Jones, Philip 60 

Jones, William M. C. 60 

Jones, Capt William R 

45, 95, 100, 107, 113, 118, 120, 129, 1 12, 

227. 

Jones & Quigg 102 

Jumonville ... 31 



YHi 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



K. 

Kagarise, J. W 131 

Kane, Thos 42, 79 

Kansas City Journal - 167 

Katz & Goldsmith 291, 303 

Katz, Jacob 230, 231, 275 

Katz, Mrs. Jacob 231 

Katz, Leo. A. 

3, 214, 216, 218, 222, 238, 239, 303 

Katz, Mrs 295 

Kauffman, Rev. P ..190 

Kazinczy, Rev. A 181, 207 

Kean, Rev. Win. F 184 

Keefer, J. S 198, 207 

Keener, Isaac W 131 

Keiser, H. B. A 117, 121 

Keiser, Rev. L. E 181 

Keller & Milliken .. 28, 90 

Keller, John J. ::. 90, 216, 21S 

Kelly, Chas. 19 

Kelly, Harry H 274 

Kelly, John G...3, 96, (note), 209, 21(1, 212 
Kelly, M. Clyde. ..3, 47, 174, 175, 176, 178 

Kelly, William ... .....(note) 96 

Kennedy, Julian 95, 106, 108, 109, 111 

Kennedy, Mary (SeeMrs. Sam'l Hamilton). 

Kennedy-Morrison Process 127 

Kenney, T. E 86 

Kenney, Mrs. T. E 52 

Kenney, Thos. J 24 

Kentucky Boat 32, 33 

Kenyon, W. H .60 

Kerr Arcade 303, 305 

Kerr, Dr. Clinton S 242 

Ken-, D. G 89a, 95, 120, 122, 222 

Ketter, Joseph 191 

Kidd, Peter 57 

Kier, D. M 41, 276 

Kier, M. M 162 

Kierman, Miss Irene 241 

Kierulff, Rev. A. W 187 

Kilburn, J. W. . 88 

Killeen, M Ill, 116, 131 

•Kimmel, Dr 247, 249 

King, Rev. A. J 185 

King, J. R 307 

King, Mrs. J. R 233, 294 

King, John 53 

King, Dr. R. J. 307 

King, Wm. M 56 

Kinney, John 275 

Kinney, Thos 78, 188, 189 

Kinsey, Mrs. Mary E. 169, 186, 231 



Kirkpatrick, Allen 23 

Kirkpatrick, Mrs. Allen 3, 14, 2::::, 291 

Kirkpatrick Mansion 54 

Klein, George 308 

Kloman, Andrew 98, 104, 109 

Knights of Labor 112 

Knorr, V. C 275, 308 

Knox, Philander C 95, 213, 214 

Knox, Wm. F 121 

Kohrnak, Dr. A. J 249 

Kolb, Ellsworth 24 

Kolb, Emory 23 

Kolb, John .... 2::, 79 

Kopsofsky, Dr. H. S 307 

Kost & Costello 308 

Kovar, Rev. J. V .181 

Kramer, Chas. F. 175 

Kramer, Geo. S 131 

Kramer, Margaret 294 

Krohe, John .43 

Kuhns, Rev. L. M 185 

Kulp, Mark L 276 

Kulp, Susan (Mrs. Tilgman) 

233, 237, 285, 288, 29 1 

Kulp, W. A 3, 91, 216, 308 

Kurtz, Louis 279 

Kutscher, Geo. W 3, 276, 308 

L. 

Lacock, Prof. John K 9 

Ladies Auxiliary, B. G. H 241 

LaFayette, General 8, 14. 54, 158, 316 

Lakeberg, Rev. A. P 181 

Lamb, George H 

3, 7. I!), 50, 198, 220, 223, 242, 298, 311 

Lamb. Dr. Harold H 248, 249 

Lambing, Rev. A. A 190 

Lang & Miller 20 

Lang, Wm 276 

Lantz, E. E 174, 175 

Lapsley, J. A 221 

Lapsley, Jennie S. (Mrs. W. L.) 

78, 203, 23.3, 237, 289, 294, 295 

Lapsley, Captain Thos 

21, 100, 101, 108, 117 

Lapsley, William 100, 221, 276 

Large, W. H 172, 173 

Larimer, Mrs. George 2.",:; 

Larimer, John 59, 62 

Lauck, Reverend 24 

Laughner, Mrs. Amos 231 

Laux, Mrs. John 231 

Laverty, Rev. L. F 184 

Law, Alexander 78 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



327 



Lawler, Matthew 14 

Lawlor, John 275 

Lawrence, Edward 173 

Lawry, Thos 170, 172, 173, 176 

Layman's Cafe - 1(58 

Layman, Rev. Leigh 188 

Lazear, Sollinger & Patton 84 

Learish, Rev. E. B 181 

Learn, H. J. 3, 217, 305 

Learn, Mrs 295 

Lee, Amelia 185 

Leech, Elmer ... 275 

Legal, Mae A. 203 

Leighton, P. K 12 

Leighton, H. S 163, 308 

Leighton's Rink 220 

Leonardson, Rev. A. V... 187 

Lewis, Anthony 62 

Lewis, Mrs. Flora ... 285 

Lewis, Harry 275 

Lewis, John F 

3, 121, 122, 129, 130, 131, 140, 222 

Lewis, Jonathan D (note) 120 

Lewis, Washington 275 

Lexington 7 

Library, Braddock (See Library, Car- 
negie Free) . 

Library, Carnegie Free 

10, 156, 171, 21!), 22(». 22:; 

Twenty-Fifth Anniversary 225, 227 

Library, E. T. Works... 220 

Limerick, Rev. F. B 185 

Lincoln, President A 51, 57, 159 

Linn, Dr. J. W... 19, 159, 247, 249 

Linsemyer, Amy .241 

Lippincott, Jessie H 213 

Lippincott, Rev. R. P.. 184 

Liston Bros 309 

Little, John ...100, 276 

Little, J. E 40, 307 

Litzki, Joe 27!) 

Litvitz, Jacob 231 

Lobingier, C. C. . 78 

Lock No. 2 54 

Locke, C. E. 171 

Lock, C. E., Sr 171 

Loew, John 57 

Loew, John A.'s Sons 307 

Loughrey, Chas 56 

Lorch, Louis, Jr 216 

Lothrop, Sylvanus 38 

Loucks, E. F 204 

Loughead, John C 170, 174, 175, 176 

Louis, F. E 168, 170, 174, 27:1 



Louis, Thos. J 53, 168, 171, 178 

Lowers, John F 279 

Lowing, Flank C . . I"; 

Lowman, W. S 41 

Lowrie, Dr. R. N 249 

Lowrie, Dr. W. J. 249 

Lowry, John S 78, 201 

Lowry, Nathaniel 78 

Lowry, Mrs. Nathaniel ... 78, 81 

Lucas, Mrs. Ada 2:::: 

Lucy Furnaces . 1119 

Ludwig, Thos 278 

Lukens, Maggie 289 

Lutz, Chas. W. 88 

Lutz, Jerry . j(; 

Luzerne Packet 51 

Lytle Opera House ::o| 

Lytle, Sue 285 

Mc 

McAdams, William 20, 40, 276 

McAfee, John ss 

McArthur, Noah L 92 

McBeth, W. J ::. 162, 163, 23S 

McBride Bros. ... 90 

McBride, E. F. . .278 

McBride, Harry E. 201 

McBride Lumber Co. 2!)1 

McBride, M. J. ...216, 21S 

McCabe, C. B .203 

McCague, George is:: 

McCain, Daniel ... 22 

McCandless, David 98, 110 

McCandless, Gardiner ..no 

McCarthy, Daniel J 

161, 162, 169, 170, 171, 174, 177. 230, 275 

McCarthy, J. J 41, 161, 275 

McCauley, Alexander 23, 78 

McCauley, James .78 

McCauley, P 276 

McCleery, James ... .18, 20, 40 

McCleery, Mrs. James .....18 

McCleery, W. W 20, 160, 161, 221. 276 

McClintic-Marshall 10, 92 

McClintick, Chas. ... 63 

McClintick, Flora ... 63 

McClintick, Garfield . 63 

McClintick, Joseph ... 

McClintick, Sadie P. 1, 

McClintick, Squire J. C 62, 63 

McCloskey Coal Works 52, :>7 
McCloskey, John 51, 52, 57 
McCloskey, Squire Joseph 57 



328 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



McCloy, W. R., Glass Works 87 

McClure, Conser ... .. 117, 121, 124 

McClure, S. R., Esq., 25, 204, 307 

McClure, Washington 22, 40 

McCollum, Lillian 89 

McCollum, Mark 89 

McCollum, William 89 

McCombs, Wm. 78 

McConnell, F. B 91 

McCord, J. P 198 

Maccoun, A. E Ill, 122, 131, 222 

McCoy, Frank 76, 77 

McCracken, John 79 

McCrady Bros 14, 85 

McCrady, Edward ... 14 

McCrady, James H .....85, 217, 218, 222 

McCrady, Mrs. J. M 233 

McCrady, "Mother" ... 14 

McCrady, R. A 307 

McCue, Mrs. C. 51 

McCue, Daniel, Jr - 279 

McCune, Davis ... .78 

McCune, H. T. ... .107 

McCune, Jesse 40 

McCune, John F 42 

McCune, Joseph ...40, 274 

McCune, Mrs. Joseph 283 

McCune, Joshua 276 

McCune, J. W 305 

McCune, Mrs. Sarah H 22 

McCune, W. A .276 

McCutcheon, Samuel 14 

McDevitt, W. A. 162, 221, 275, 308 

McDonald, C. F 131 

McDonald, Jas. E 310 

McDonald, Rev. Robert 163, 181, 189 

McDonald, Thos. ... 127a, 221 

McDonough, J. J 279 

McDonough, P. 88 

McDowell, Eliza 16 

McDowell, Mary 16 

McDowell, W. W 16 

McElroy, Wm 58, 62 

McFadden, Thos 36 

McFeetters, Captain J. L 79 

McGeary, Dr. G. H 249 

McGinley, Neal 276 

McGowan, R. E 58 

McGreevy, Pat ... 56, 79 

McGreevy, Robert 53 

McHose, K. M 93 

Mcllfred, Kate ... 237, 294 

Mcllvrie, Peter 88 

Mclntyre, Neil 14 



McKeesport Morning Herald -174 

MacKellar, Patrick 89 

McKelvey, John M 275 

McKim, Alexander 85 

McKinley, President Wm. ... 51 

McKinney, A. A. .217 

McKinney, John 98, 111 

McKinney, Robert 98 

McKinney, Wm. J 121 

McKinneys' 24, 28 

McLaughlin, Dr. J. H. . 249 

McLaughlin, Patrick 56 

McMasters, John H .210 

McMasters, Thomas 62 

McMichaels, Oliver ...277 

McMichaels, Sledge .... 56 

McMullen, A. P 60 

McNany, Henry 72, 74 

McNulty, R. M 306 

McPeak, Rev. W. H..... 181, 1S4 

McQuiggan, A. J 308 

McVay-Walker Foundry 20, 85 

McWi'lliams, A 117, 121. 122 

McWilliams, James A 4 L! 

M. 

Magee, C. L 174 

Magill, W. R 217 

Maggini, Mrs. A. 231, 294 

Maggini, A. P 276 

Maggini, B. A. 56, 246 

Maggini, Dr. J. C. F 19, 56, 246, 249 

Maggini Hardware Store, .... 307 

Maggini, Robert 56 

Mahon, Rev. Henry 181 

Mangion, John 276 

Mangus, Jacob 56 

Mann, August .88, 89 

Mann, Wm. I. .108 

Marchand, Dr. Rush 245 

Mark Twain 302, 311 

Marks, A. O 206 

Marks, Philip .... 24, 53 

Marks, Wilson 53 

Marriott, C. M. & Sons . ...309 

Marshall Brothers 306 

Martin, James 275 

Martin, Thomas K 41, 276 

Martin, William 100 

Masonic Building 213, 216, 218, 303 

Masters, C. L 217 

Masters, David 276 

Masters, E. C 307 

Masters & Lewis 305 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



329 



Matelon, Martin 206 

Mates, J. C 60 

Matinee Bowling- Club .229 

Matlack, Dr. James 247, 249 

Maxwell, Jane 279 

May, Captain John 32 

May, Rev. Peter 190, 191 

Mayer, Mrs. Joseph L. 57 

Mayer, W. L 226 

Mayerowitz, Rev. A 181 

Mayhugh, Jos. F. 42, 43, 57, 91, 204, 307 

Mayhugh, William 57 

Maxwell, Hugh 62 

Meals, Dr. C. A 91, 249 

Meese, H. P 4, 82 

Melcher Bros 93 

Mellon, Judge Thos 27, 29 

Melville, I). F 133, 261 

Melvin, Matthew . r ,(i 

Melvin, Sarah 56 

Mench, Florence .. 242. 273 

Mercader, C 117 

Mercer, Andrew 276 

Mervis, Dr. Frank 24N 

M. E. Church, Port Perry 52 

Metzgar, Dr. D. A 241, 242, 249 

Michael, Father 190 

Michilimackinac 8 

Mifflin, Governor .13 

Miles, Rev. J. W - 183 

Miles, Mrs. J. W 232 

Miller, Mr 54, 100 

Miller, C. O 93 

Miller, D. L 

100, 117, 121, 124, 127a, 131, 276 

Miller Drug Store 308 

Miller, George 42, 51, 52 

Miller, Homy 88. 275. 

Miller, H. B ::. 12 

Miller, Dr. J. A .....239, 249, 295 

Miller, J. C 60 

Miller, John B..... 91 

Miller, Max 309 

Miller Mort C...... 213 

Miller, R. V 91 

Miller, William 85 

Miller, W. L 24, 26 

Miller, W. Leslie 127 

Miller. W. Lloyd 307 

Millick, William .301 

Milligan, J. Knox 12, 16 

Milligan, J. W II 

Millig-an, Rev. 0. B 184 

Milligan, Mrs. O. B. 233 



Milligan, Robert 24 

Milliken, Homer A 90 

Mills, Charles 21, 169, 171, 173, 174 

Mills, Eliza 21, 283, 285 

Mills, Elizabeth 18, 21 

Mills, Isaac, Jr 21, 275 

Mills, Isaac, Sr 

....18, 21, 27, 30, 40, 45, 78, 169, 1S2. 281 

Mills, J. K 160 

Mills, Mary Calderwood 17, 177 

Mills, Stephen 21, 169 

Mills, Dr. S. Roy 241, 245, 248, 249 

Mills. Dr. W. W 248 

Minneapolis Tribune 167 

Mitchell, James E 92, 121, 124, 222 

Mixer (Jones) Ill 

Mohr, J. A 86 

Molnar, Rev. C. V.... 181 

Molyneaux, Dr. D. A 249 

Molyneaux. Rev. P 181, 190, 206 

Monongahela 

4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 16, 21, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 

37, 38, 175, 313. 314. 

Monongahela Navigation Co 33 

Monongahela Street Railway 7."> 

Monongahela Water Analysis., (note) 132 

Monroe, William 276 

Montgomery, Thomas L 227 

Moore, Abraham 53 

Moore, E. W 197 

Moore, Frank 94 

Moore, George... 239, 242, 24:; 

Moore, Mrs. .295 

Moorehead, J. K. .".0 

Morgan, Jas. A 41 

Morgan, Martha L 241 

Morgan, Dr. W. T 

230, 238, 239, 241, 242, 249, 295 

Morgan, Mrs. W. T. 292 

Morris, John W 276 

Morris, Robert 100, 108 

Morrison, R. G 9] 

Morrison, Thomas. .. 91, 95, 122, 197, 222 
Morrison, William .1. 52 

Morrell Institute 202 

Morrow, Dr. F. L. .249 

Morrow, Dr. H. W. .241 

Morrow, James 275 

Morrow, Robert 275 

Morrow, W. E 221, 222 

Morrow, Mrs. W. E 231 

Mosellin, Mrs. B. 229 

Mother Braddock 94 

Mount Rainier 197 



330 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



Mucklerat .30 

Mud (Port Perry) 53 

Muir, J. C 309 

Mullett, R. T .93 

Mura, Emil 42 

Murdough, Mrs. W 285 

Murphy, Rev. J...... 190 

Murphy, William 88 

Murray, C. B 122, 125, 131 

Murray, Dr 245 

Musselman, D. Z 276, 308 

Mustin, J. G 88, 89 

Myers, Mrs. Martha... 58, 59 

N. 

Nageley, L. W L24 

Nash, George ...88, 89, 162, 216 

Nash, James 278 

Naturalization, Bureau of 156 

Naylor, Chas. ... 62 

Nease, Wm 93 

Negley, Gen. Felix 29 

Nelson, John 88 

Nemacolin 31 

Nesbitt, C. E. ... ...131 

Neville, Rev. Thos. 61 

Newman, Mrs 294 

Newman, Dorothy .... 241 

Newman, Fannie 239, 241 

Newman, Ferd 241 

News Herald Pub. Co. .... 174 

Newton, C. S ....279 

Newton, Sheridan 43 

New York City 10, 37 

Nicholls, J. C, M. D 241, 242, 249, 295 

Nicholls, Winslow 174, 175 

Nickel, A. C...... 160, 162 

Nill's Bakery 302 

Nimon, George 56, 108, 117, 120 

Moey, John ...57, 100, 108, 117, 120, 122, 131 

Nolan, Rev. J... 190 

Noland Furniture Co 306 

Norris, Grant 198 

North Braddock Vol. Fire Dep't., 

organized 278 

North Braddock Vol. Fire Dep't., 

champion teams 279 

Norton, Patrick .....275 

Nucci & Ferreri 309 

Nugent, Ed 3, 41, 307 

Nugent, Mary 304 

Nugent, Thos. W 303 

Nugent's Dept. Store.. 303, 305 

Nullmeyer. F. H 88, 89 



0. 

Oakley, F. W 166, 178, 230 

Oartel, J. A (note) 139 

O'Connell, P. J. ... 279 

O'Connor, T. E 3 

Octagon House 217 

Odd Fellow's Hall 188 

Odeon Hall 171 

O'Farrell, Father 189 

Ohio Co 31 

Oliver, Dr 53 

Oliver, Mrs. Mary..... 201 

Olson, P 88 

Olympia Restaurant 302 

Opperman, Fred 276 

Opperman Hotel 303 

Oskin, Albert ... .....276 

Oskin, Daniel ... 278, 308 

Oskin, Mrs. Daniel 233 

Oskin, Edward 19 

Oskin, Edward, Jr 276 

Oskin, George, Jr 275 

Oskin, W. T 276 

Oskin, Zachariah 78, 275 

Owens, Samuel G 276 

P. 

Packer, W. S. 16, 40, 210 

Packer, Wilson .276 

Packer, Mrs. W. S., Sr 2.33 

Page, George Stevens (note) 102 

Panama 10 

Pancoast, Elisha 56 

Parker, A. M 20, 217, 278 

Parker, Miss S. .285 

Parkman, Francis 7 

Parsons, Rev. Morten 181 

Patch, Sarah 200 

Patterson, E. J 93 

Patterson, E. M 3, 206 

Patterson, Frank, M. D 248 

Patterson, N 58 

Patterson, Robert R 60 

Patton Township 58 

Peacock, A. R 91 

Pears, Rev. T. C, Jr 181, 185 

Pendergrass, R. A 93 

Penfield, R. S 205, 206 

Penn, George W 173, 178, 212 

Pennsylvania & Ohio Ry 67 

Pennsylvania Canal 66, 67 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



:::il 



Pennsylvania Railroad 67, 314 

Penny, Frederick L .158 

Penny, William, M. D 245 

Peoples' Trust Co 215 

Perry, I (avid ......78 

Perry, Syd 98 

Peters, H. W. 206 

Peterson, Rev. Theodore 188 

Petty, A. L 174, 176, 178 

Petty, George 78 

Petty, J. D 174, 176, 178 

Petty, James 19, 40 

Phelan, Rt. Rev. Richard .190 

Phillips, James 276 

Phillips, John 43 

Phillips, Mrs. O. H 233 

Phillips, Rose 222 

Phipps, Henry ...98, 104, 108, 110 

Pierce, Byron 74 

Pierce, Franklin, President.. 158 

Pierce, William R 108, (note) 117 

Pieries, Mr 50 

Pig machine L25 

Pitt Township 58 

Pittman, E. W 93 

Pittsburgh & Connellsville Ry 52, 66, 67 

Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Ry 70 

Pittsburgh Base-ball Club 107 

Pittsburg-h Christian Advocate 172 

Pittsburgh Incorporation 58 

Pittsburgh Machine Tool Co 93 

Pittsburgh, McKeesport & Yough- 

iog-heny R. R 52, 70 

Pittsburg-h Magazine Almanac 62 

Pittsburgh Rys 77 

Pittsburg-h, Virginia & Charleston Ry 70 

Plowman Construction Co. 163 

Plum Township 58 

Plymouth Rock 7 

Politics, Local 46, 47 

Polk, J. K., President .51 

Polk, O. I., M. D 249 

Poorman, Harry 308 

Porter, J. L 51 

Porter, Sup't 88 

Powell, William... 114 

Power, F. A : 133, 222 

Preusse, A. J 108. 127a 

Preusse, Mrs. Ada R. 54, 289 

Price, Mr 19 

Price, A. B 

Price, B. F., M. D. 245, Jin 

Price, Mrs. B. F 233 



Price, Joseph 90 

Price, Robert A L60, 162 

Price & Alman 9(1 

Proctor, W. M., M. D 24!» 

Propheter, Adolph ... 191 

Purcell, James 40, 56, 276 

Purcell, Patrick 56 

Pustinger, A. P 306 

Pyle, W. T., M. D. 241 



Q. 

Quinn, Jas. L . ::. 170, 174 

Quinn, John 275 

Quinn, M. A.. 93 



R. 

Railroads 65 

Ramag-e, E. C (note) 137 

Rankin, Mrs. J. H.... 233 

Rankin, Thomas 24 

Rankin Borough ..42, 154, 156, 157, 306 
Rankin Vol. Fire Dep't., organized 278 

Rankin Wire Mill 87 

Rath, S. A 62 

Reagle, Rev. W. G 184 

Reagle, Mrs. W. G 233 

Redman, Charles 16 

Redman, Frank .....276 

Redman, "Grandma" 16, 17, 18 

Redman, Robert 276 

Redman, William 16, 17, 18, 40, 78 

Redstone, 31, 32 

Reese & Berger 20 

Reid, A. T ......42 

Reid, R. G 60 

Remington, P. D. 217, 306, 307 

Remlinger, Benjamin 278 

Revolutionary War .....33 

Reyneke, M. E... .88 

Reynolds, Mrs. S.. 285 

Rhinehart, Otto 117 

Richardson, Daniel . 84 

Richardson, John 84, 131 

Riedl, W. M 88 

Riley, George M 276 

Riley, Mrs. J. T 285 

Riley, Mell F 276 

Rinard, John 91, 100, 108, 127a 

Ripper, Miss Sophie E 241 

Riston, J. C 275 



:j.",2 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



Riston, Joseph 276 

Riston, Mrs. Virginia 237, 285, 294 

Robin, Dr. M. H 307 

Robinson, All's. 1S1 

Robinson, Mrs. E 285 

Robinson, J. R 310 

Robinson, John 14, 28 

Robinson House 14, 18, 28 

Roblinjr, David T .92 

Roby, George P .308 

Roderus, A. P 3, 41, 42, 46 

Roderus, Phillip 276 

Roderus, Phillip C 160, 162 

Roderus & Klaban 291 

Rodgers, Professor W. A 60 

Roosevelt, Theodore, President ...57 

Rose, Charles 298, 307 

Rose, Dr. Chas. E 307 

Rose, William .....301 

Rosenbloom, Jacob, M. D 248 

Roskovics, Rev. C 181 

Ross, L. P 175 

Ross Fruit Store 62 

Rossiter, F. S., M. D 248 

Rothauff, Samuel L9 

Rotthof, William 86 

Routh, John 69 

Row-letter, Peter 13 

Rubenstein, L. G., M. D 

238, 239, 24). 249, 295 

Russell, Frank 7!) 

Russell, James A.. 

22, 40, 45, 51, 52, 79, 91, 163, 214. 216, 

305, 306. 

Russell, John 51 

Russell, Robert, M 306 

Ryan, Michael ... 86 

Rykaczewski, Rev. J. A.... 181, 191, 207 

Rylander, A. J 88 



s. 



Sacred Heart Polish School 207 

Sadler, Robert S 43 

Sailor, A. L 218 

St. Brendin's Parish I'm; 

St. Clair, Floyd 117 

St. Joseph's Parish .. ...206 

St. Joseph's Young- Men's Club 190 

St. Michael's School 206 

St. Paul Pioneer Press . 167 

St. Thomas' Parish 206 

St. Vincent de Paul Society 206 

Sandels, W. A., M. D 247, 249 

Saratoga 7 



Sargent, Dr. H. H 307 

Sarver, William 20, 78 

Saunders, J. T..... .88 

Sawhill, Rev. B. F Is:; 

Saylor, A. L 7.". 

Schaefer, E. B 41 

Schaeffer, Supt. N. C 222 

Schellenberg, F. F 93 

Schenley High School 204 

Schilling, Conrad 276 

Schmidt, A 306 

Schmidt, L 231, 306 

Schmidt, Rev 186 

Schoenberger, J. H 102 

School, St. Thomas 189 

Schooley, A. W., M. D 

3, L9, 222, 238, 241, 246, 247, 248, 249 
Schooley, Mrs. A. W. 

231, 237, 238, 239, 289, 294 

Schooley, J. D., M. D 

.19, 210, 246, 247, 249 

Schooley, William C 171 

Schools 283 

Schools, Turtle Creek 60 

Schramm, Rev. S .190 

Schultz, Aug-ustus 79 

Schwab, C. M 

54, 95, 108, 111, 113, 129, 189, 222, 226, 

227. 

Schwab, Mrs. C. M 186, 189, 2:::: 

Schweinberg- Family ...14 

Scott, A. M 3 

Scott, Mrs. A. M. 289, 292 

Scott. H. M 216 

Scott, John 98, 104, 110 

Scott, M. B 56 

Scott, Margaret B ....294 

Scott, Margaret M 237 

Scritchfield, Mrs. Elmira 

231, 237, 239, 242, 285, 288, 293, 294 

Sechlar, J. L. ... .174, 178 

Sechler, John 276 

Sechler, John L 276 

Second Ave. Passenger Co. ... 74 

Second Ward School, N. B 203 

Seddon, Miss A .285 

Seddon's Hall ... 184 

Seewald, Peter ... 19, 40, 172, 275 

Seewald Building 172 

Seewald Motor Co 308 

Seewald's Hall .187, 188, 189 
Seibert, J. <;. 276 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



333 



Seifers, George - 43 

Semmens, W. H 59, 63 

Shady Park School 203 

Shallenberger, H. C 3, 22, 40, 55, 217, 276 

Shallenberger, Mrs. J. N 233 

Shallenberger, Jonathan 22 

Sharah, E. M 56, 201, 208 

Sharah, Philip 22, 56 

•Sharah, W. H...... 3, 56, 275, 279 

Sharp, Miss B. 285 

Sharp, T. W 20, 40, 275 

Shaw, M. M.... - -- 162 

Shaw, Mrs. S. J 233 

Shaw, Samuel T . 170, 175, 176 

Shearer, Samuel 276 

Shearinger, Rev. J. L 181 

Sheekey, James 308 

Sheekey, Owen 22, 86, 162 

Sheets, C. H .161, 162, 275 

Shelby, David 229 

Sherwin. Mrs. G. 285 

Sherwin, John I! 1 

Sherwin, William 40, 78 

Shields, John 41, ^f, 

Shields, Rev. J. P 61 

Shilling, Frank .276, 307 

Shinn, William P . ...98, 104, 108, 110 

Shirley, General - -9 

Shoemaker, William 98 

Shrewsbury 150 

Shultz, Edwin F (note) 116 

Silvey, Alex. H 170, 171 

Silvey, T. M - 171 

Simcox, F. E...._ 197 

Simms, Dan 56 

Simms, John - 56 

Simon, J. D 308 

Simpson Farm - - r >2 

Singer, Nimick & Co. 102 

Sisters of Divine Providence 190, 191 

Skelley, John K 218 

Skelton, J. M HO 

Slease, Rev. 61 

Slick, E. E 121, 122 

Slick, F. F 

3, 63 131, 132, (note) 133, 138, 139, 222 

Slick, Mrs. Gail Hunter 63 

Sloan, George A 42, 307 

Sloss, James 91 

Smail, E. J 222, 27H. 307 

Smelsz, Rev. Anthony 191 

Smith, E. R - 60 

Smith, Georg.. W. 79, 93 

Smith, H. G. 93 



Smith, J. B., M. O. u 4] p L >49 

Smith, W. J '....60 

Smith. William . 7s 

Swith & Worthington 308 

Snodgrass, I)i 

Snodgrass, Colonel John 21 

Snowden, W. J. ... ..(Packet) 61 

Snowwhite, T. H.. M. I). 241, 249 

Soles, David 24 

Soles, Hugh p.) 

Soles, John iy > 78 

Soles, Mr 84 

Soles, Mrs. Ella ...288 

Soles, Mrs. Helen 85 

Spangler, George ( '. 276 

Spear, R. E 276 

Speedy, J. Alex. 45 

Spear, A. H. -;iit 

Speer, Rev. H. L... .181 

Speer, Mrs. W. H 159, 233 

Speicher & Daniels 308 

Speidel, Albert .... 276 

Speidel. Conrad IS), 79 

Speidel, George S. 226 

Sperry, Helen .. 222 

Spigelmire, A. J. 190, 216, 305 

Spigelmire, Mrs. A. J 289 

Spitler, J. L 203 

Spitzer & Speidel.. 305 

Stage Coaches 59 

Stamets, George E. T......... 74 

Standard Chain Co 92 

Stanton, Dr. James N 248 

Stanwix, Fort 151 

Stanyon, Henry .... 91 

State Bank 19, 217 

State College 203 

Stebick, E. J 307 

Steczovich, Rev. Nicholas 191 

Stein, Rev. C. H 181, 185 

Steiner, W. R. W 278 

Steinmetz, Dillie 11 

Steinmetz Family 241 

Steltz, Professor F. C... 3, 198 

Stengel, Rev. A. C 187 

Stephens, Gilbert 54 

Stephens, Miss R. ...285 

Stephens, Rich ,1 

Stephens, Mrs. Richard u:;i 

Stephens Furniture Co.. .306 

Sterling Steel Foundry 9:: 

Stevens, Richard 

108, 109, 111, 117, 12(1, 122, 111 

Stevens, Mrs. Richard 289 



:::; 1 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



Stevenson, A. B., Esq 221, 222, 235 

Stevenson, Mrs. A. B. 289 

Stevenson, John, Jr 108 

Stewart, Caroline M. (Mrs. R. E.) 237, 294 

Stewart, David A 98, 104, 110 

Stewart, James 23 

Stewart, James V. 131 

Stewart, Major R. E...24, 210, 222, 237, 294 

Stewart, S. E 306 

Stewart, Dr. W. S '-il'- 1 

Stewart, Mrs. W. S 233 

Stokes, C. A... 173, .174, 217, 222, 306 

Stokes, Mrs. C. A - 233 

Stokes Hall , 188 

Stone, W. C 87 

Strang, P. G. D 131 

Strathern, James 78 

Strathern, John 78 

Strathern, Thomas 17 

Street, Rev. George F. 185 

Street-Cars ''■'■ 

Striebich, E. C -.191, 214. 216 

Striebich, E. H 242 

Striebich, Mrs. Joseph 57 

Stright, S. A 308 

Stright Pharmacy 247 

Striker, Christopher 58 

Struble, Madge 53 

Stucki, P : 'l 

Stumpf, Rev. Louis 181 

Sullivan, William 278 

Sullivan. William H 3, 310 

Sullivan, Jones & Ryan , 305 

Superintendent's Club, Edgar Thomson.. 

127 

Sweeney, Edward 14 

Sweeney, James A 53 

Swenson, Rev. William 188 

T. 

Taft. President Wm. H 214 

Taggart, E. L. 94 

Tallent, Agnes 203 

Tannery, Braddock 86 

Taylor, B. H 221 

Taylor, John 28 

Taylor, Joseph 28 

Teachers — 

Braddock teachers alphabetically ar- 
ranged 198 

North Braddock teachers 204 

Rankin teachers 206 

Teeter, C. C. 100, 107, 108, 111, 112, 117. 121 



Teeter, H. C 275, 276 

Tegethoff, Fritz 276 

Tell, Dr. George 249 

Temple, Prof. Henry 9 

Tener, R. W 91 

Third Ward School, N. B. 203 

Thier, Christ 276 

Thompson, Elizabeth 205 

Thompson, E. D 88 

Thompson, Martin H 86 

Thompson, R. E 306 

Thompson Run 58 

Thomson, F. DuPeyster 121 

Thomson, J. Edgar .... 69, 98, 99 

Tierney, Theodore 278 

Tillbroke, Steward 62 

Tingle & Sugden ... 102 

Tinstman, A. 59, 63 

Tinstman, C. P. M 59, 63 

Todd, George A 161, 212 

Todd, Mrs. P. S 231, 233 

Tolman, C. M 117, 120, 122 

Tompos, John 88 

Toner, Mrs. M. C 51 

Tonnaleuka 25, I!'-"".. 273 

Torrance, H. C. ..... 108 

Torreyson, Thayer M 3 

Townsend, Rev. C. W 61 

Tracey, Rev. F 189 

Tracey, Wm. J 308 

Traynor, P. J 42 

Treese, Mrs. Kate M 

231, 237, 285, 293, 294 

Trent, Capt 31 

Trevaskis, A. L 63 

Trevaskis, C. R 60 

Trevaskis, J. T 63 

Trott, H. B .. 88 

Troutman, W. E 91 

Tuigg, Bishop John 190 

Tupper & McKowan 102 

Turner, Dr. H. H 249 

Turtle Creek .... 58, 151, 299 

moved 121 

Twitmyer, E. D 121, 197, 198 



u. 

Unangst, J. T 306 

linger, J. S 95 

Union National Bank 216, 217 

Union Railroad 52 

United States Bank 21, 34 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



335 



United States Post Office Department.... 

158, 162, 163 

United States Steel Corporation 

- !). 238, 240 

Upton, Charles 275 

Upton, L. T 131 

Urmson, R. M 307 

V. 

Valetta Commandery, K. of M 241 

Vance, W. J 127, 221, 222, 27N 

Vande Ventea, J. W 198 

Vandervort, J. W 110 

Vankirk, Mrs. 292 

Vantine, A. M 198 

Vanyo, Stephen 306 

Verosky, Michael 41 

Versailles 50 

Vitale, Rev. N. J 61 

Voltaire 7 

w. 

Wages (1875) .110 

Wag-ner Family 18 

Wagner, Henry 310 

Wag-ner, John 305, 307 

Wag-ner, Joseph 307 

Wakeham, Elizabeth 203 

Walden, Bishop 188 

Walker, G. Roy 308 

Walker, John 35, 306, 308 

Wall, Dr. A. A 249 

Wallace, Col 183 

Wallace, Geo., Judge ...8, 13, 14, 24, 58, 316 

Wallace Mansion 15, 18,316 

Wallace, Rev. W. C L84, 227 

Walter, Lucas J 191 

Walters, Elmer ^7s 

Walters Family 14 

Walters, "Granny" 14 

Walters, Jacob 276 

Walters, P 308 

Walton, Joseph 20 

Ward, M. J 57 

Ward, Thomas 276, 302 

Ward's Cafe 302 

Washington, George 

7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 25, 31, 59, 150, 281, 313, 

314. 
Washington & Jefferson College .9 

Water Works 45, 46 

Watkins, Thomas ...278 



Watkins, W. C 42 

Watt, Geo. C...3, 206, 209, 214, 215, 216, 227 

Watt, Harry 86 

Watt, W. H... 214, 216 

Watters, John 14 

Watts, Dr. Anna 

Weakland, C. V 305 

Weaver, W. C . <;i 

Webb, D. B 93 

Weber, Jacob .... . l;i 

Weddel, Dr. J. W 

Weeks, Joseph I) 129 

Wehaloosing 150 

Weida, Di\ C. B .249 

Weil, Geo 41, 217, 307 

Weil, Dr. Grover C. 248 

Weiler, Emanuel 218 

Weimer, Elizabeth L. R 23 

Weimer, Mrs. 23 

Weir, Mary J 242, 296 

Weiss, Bernath 241 

Welham, Rev. F 181, 187 

Wells, Henry 1:11 

Welsh, L. B ids 

Wentzel, Franklin 275, 301 

Wentzel, Wash. ... 276 

Wertenbach, Rev. A. A 190 

Wertz, Rev. Jacob M 190 

West, Mr 189 

Western Maryland R. R 70 

Westing-house Companies 62 

Weyels, Charles 308 

Weyels, John 308 

Wheeler, 1 76 

Whiskey Insurrection .8, 13, 49, 65 

White, A. H 27:. 

White, Mrs. A. H 231 

White, E. B 122, 131 

White, E. V..... 204 

White, H. S 88, 89 

White, Isabel >0 ! 

Whitehead, Cortlandt 186 

Whitfield, Dr. Finley K 

3, 40, 41, 227. 241, 242, 248, 249 
Whitfield, Geo. B.. 12 

Whitfield, Geo. B., Jr 306 

Wieder, Rev. R. 190 

Wilhelm, Fred R 77 

Wilkins Township 58 

Wilkinson, Sam. C 56, 63 

Willard, Frances 284 

Williams, Jacob 14 

Williams, L. H. . .213 

Williams, W. H 41, 45 



536 



The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field. 



Wills, James E. .. -----41 

Wills & Shelby -307 

Wilson, D. Leet 213 

Wilson, President Woodrow 163 

Windt, J. - 241 

Winkenbaug-h Family 14 

Winter, Casper 187 

Wolf, Joseph 74, 218 

property destroyed by Are 277 

Wolff, A." F. T L31 

Woman - — 280 

Achievements 296 

Woman Suffrage 286 

Woman's Christian T. U 241, 283, 286 

Woman's Club 241, 288 

Wood, Capt. B. L 53, 54 

Wood, C. W 53, 54, 171 

Wood, J. K 51 

Wood, Wm. P 54, 171 

Woodside, Margaret W 241, 242 

Woolworth's 5 & 10 cent 161, 308, 309 

Worthman, Rev. D - 181, 188 

Wright, E. S 131, (note) 137 

Wright, Rev. J. V...... 180, 181, 206 

Wrightman, Rev 61 



Wymard, Wm. ... 276 

Wynne, J. A. 168 

Y. 

Yarlett, J. M 276 

Yarlett, William 276 

Yellow Car Line 76 

Y'inger, Charles 275 

Yinger, John ....275 

Young, C. S 88 

Young, Geo. M 158, 159 

Young, Rev. J. H 187 

Y'oung, Jackson 51 

Y'oung, Mary 241 

Young, William 275 



Zeok, Dr. John 248, 249 

Zimmerman, Mrs. Emma 231 

Zischkau, R. G 60 

Zorn & Glasser 306 

Zugsmith, Chas., Jr - 217. 218 



H 100 89 -< 



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